Odegaard's Injury Saga Deepens Arsenal's Injury Woes

Odegaard's latest injury setback

The Norwegian midfielder and Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard, could not complete the match against West Ham United on Saturday in the seventh round of the Premier League.

He began the game in the starting XI, but a fresh problem forced him to come off after the first half, with the substitution occurring in the 30th minute as he was replaced by Martin Zubimendi.

This marks the second injury of the current campaign for Odegaard, who had already dealt with a shoulder issue in September that kept him out of fixtures against Manchester City and Port Vale.

According to Opta, Odegaard became the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before halftime in three consecutive starts he started.

Since arriving at Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2021, Odegaard has been one of the club’s standout performers and a linchpin of Mikel Arteta’s project.

Nevertheless, the last few seasons have seen a worrying dip in his availability due to recurring injuries and fatigue, prompting questions among supporters about the root causes of these setbacks.

Arteta relies on Odegaard as a midfield conductor, valued for his vision and his ability to thread through-balls between lines.

However, the physically demanding style—high pressing and sustained exertion—has made the Norwegian more susceptible to muscular injuries and recurrent fatigue.

Over the past two seasons, he has missed important league and Champions League fixtures due to problems with the muscles, knees, and ankles.

Last season, an ankle injury in September 2024 sidelined him for roughly 57 days, causing him to miss 14 matches for both club and country.

Beyond the on-pitch impact, Odegaard’s absence robs Arsenal of a leadership voice in the dressing room and in the build-up play—the kind of calm presence teams crave in tight moments.

With Odegaard out, Arsenal lose a significant source of inspiration and balance in central midfield, affecting decisions in big European nights and crucial league games alike.

Since joining Arsenal, the captaincy and his technical quality have made him a key figure for the team’s long-term plans under Arteta.

Arsenal’s recent seasons have highlighted a pattern: chronic injuries to core players, a trend that fans, pundits, and the club alike continue to monitor closely.

From 2019-2020 onward, the club has seen a steady stream of injury announcements, with players such as Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus, and Odegaard missing time at various points—often at sensitive moments in the campaign.

These absences frequently arrive at pivotal times, whether in the title race or in European ties, disrupting squad harmony and momentum.

Explanations vary: some point to the heavy, meticulous tactical approach under Arteta, which emphasizes high press and rapid ball movement; others highlight the crowded schedule and limited recovery windows in English football.

There are also considerations about squad depth, strengthening training & rehab, and occasional misfortune in contact situations with opponents.

Despite club investments to upgrade medical staff and rehabilitation protocols, injuries persist as a major obstacle to Arsenal’s pursuit of major silverware.

Fans hope that the club can strike a balance between tactical intensity and protecting players from overexertion so that coming seasons feature a more durable XI ready to push for honours.

Even with the improvements seen under Arteta, the lack of a new major trophy remains a talking point among supporters.

Since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, Arsenal have not added a major title, despite strong league campaigns and deep European runs.

Many attribute this gap to a combination of limited winning experience, depth issues in certain positions, and the recurring injuries that disrupt rhythm.

Nevertheless, optimism persists that the current project can eventually deliver sustained success, returning Arsenal to the pinnacle of English and European football.

In the meantime, fans will be watching closely as the medical staff shape a recovery plan that could shape the club’s fortunes for the rest of the season.

Punchline 1: Odegaard’s injury run is so persistent that even the physio’s stopwatch needs a vacation—permanently on pause for the season.

Punchline 2: If Arsenal’s contract with the injury list had a logo, it would be the only badge bigger than the club’s crest—here’s hoping they print a new one soon.