Mikel Arteta has revealed that Martin Odegaard has been carrying a small injury in recent weeks, which led to his absence from the starting eleven on Saturday.
Odegaard – alongside defender Gabriel – were just two of many changes the Gunner boss made to his side during the 5-0 win over Sheffield United.
The 24-year-old has also faced criticism for a recent drop in form but Arteta insists the squad is full of capable players looking to make an impression.
▶️ Now playing: All the goals from our 5-0 win over Sheffield United pic.twitter.com/fjGXkirojS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 28, 2023
“We looked at the all the minutes everyone has played over the last few weeks and some of them have played an enormous amount of minutes,” he told reporters after the win.
“Martin has as well been carrying a little thing (reported to be a hip problem) that wasn’t very comfortable in the games.
“We have players with enormous quality and we have to trust them, and we believe it was the right day to do so.”
Arsenal are already without Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey who are both expected to miss ‘a few weeks’ with muscle problems.
Can’t understand why footballers want to play when they’re carrying injuries that would undoubtedly make them play poorly. It could affect their career if they make the injury worse and also stifle the team.
Because players want to player
and the haters want to hater
🤣
😂
Given the relentless football calendar, I doubt there is any top level player who ever gets to play without some sort of injury/niggle. I guess the key is being clever enough to know when you reach the point where playing on is not sensible.
You don’t get to the Prem with fear. A negative mindset just isn’t on the table, however rational.
Sounds to me like Chuffy has never actually played football. Anyone who had would never make a statement like that.
I too have been carrying a hip injury and can never get to my top level in the over 35s old boy’s league.!!
So I understand what your going through Martin. It’s hard for us creative players, everyone always expecting us to perform. We’re only human after all!!! Puss puss
We are still talking football right?
An old uncle rant … Probably
In some ways it’s good to know there is a reason beyond him simply playing badly.
Get well soon captain!
That and the fact the balls take a bit longer to get to him, Saka and Marinelli than they did from the number 6 and left 8 as compared to last season
I get that xhaka being gone interfered with the left 8, but how has the 6 changed at all since last season?
Yup…good observations..when you give opponents (low blocks or not) chance to reset ,…our front 4 will be easier to negate
Should have played ESR for the past few weeks
or Fabio, feels like people often forget that’s his best position
Time to drop Zinchencko too and give some minutes to Tomiyasu.meanwhile let our Captain heal as Smith takes over for the time being
He is the kind of player I’d expect playing with an injury to affect worse in fairness. Like how a blunt machete is still an effective weapon whereas a blunt scalpel can’t really do anything.
And to think how massively he presses while signaling those behind him to join in
Get better soon captain.
I knew something was off…Odegaard is one hell of a player…my captain!
With the squad we have now, I see no point in running top talent into the ground. Also his injury is likely the reason for poor form and that affects confidence.
Quite honestly, I’m not surprised at either the dip in form or the need for rest, given the unpunished clattering he took from that utter cunt Kovacic. That ankle turn could well have been a season-ender or even a carer-ender.
Thankfully we have an able and willing deputy in ESR; now is his opportunity to shine just the same as Eddie in the absence of Jesus.
Having two top drawer players in every position is a must these days.
Do we have any players who are NOT injured?
What are they feeding you Fatgooner
Too much!
Slight change of subject, I see Pep was quoted as saying Liverpool are their main rivals. What’s that? For 3/4th place 🤔
As much as I hate Man U I hope they sneakily win in the 96th minute with a blatant Fernandes dive to win a penalty. Pep would spontaneously combust 🤣
Considering Man U form it’s highly unlikely
Pedro Neto pulling up with a hamstring injury in Wolverhampton’s draw yesterday was the most obvious “come-and-get-me-plea” a player has ever sent the Arsenal. He clearly gets this club.
Players always want to keep playing, one of the main reasons is that in a talented squad such as ours, you take time off and your replacement shines to the point of being undropable , then you find yourself stuck on the bench, just a thought
I tried playing the last 2 weekends with a sore back and glute, and wow I was half the player I usually am. Similar to Martin I just could not get up to speed of the game and everything felt rushed. Best to rest and get back to it.
we got depth
Hopefully ESR’s performance will give Arteta more confidence to start him in matches when players like Odegaard need a break. That’s the only way we are going to get through the full season with enough in the tank for the run in. Hopefully he can give Nelson an opportunity on the right (or at least Jesus there with Nketiah up top again) to allow Saka some rest in matches like the last one.