Arteta Updates on Ødegaard’s Injury and His Champions League Prospects

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is back in the treatment room. He had to leave the game against Nottingham Forest in the first half due to a recurring shoulder issue.

Ødegaard had just recovered from a similar injury sustained during the Leeds match, and this new setback raises questions about his availability for the upcoming Champions League match against Athletic Bilbao.

Head coach Mikel Arteta acknowledged that this is not an ideal situation but emphasized that the midfielder is unlikely to need surgery.

“It’s the same shoulder. He started to feel discomfort, so we had to take him off. It’s frustrating because he was doing well and had recently played for the national team. He’ll do everything he can to be back by midweek, but it’s too early to say for certain,” the manager stated.

Arteta also mentioned that the medical team does not see any major concerns. However, the squad faces challenges as players Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka are also dealing with injuries. With a busy schedule ahead and competition on two fronts, Arteta highlighted the need for squad depth for Arsenal to compete effectively with other top teams.