London, October 17, 2025 — Arsenal captain Martin
Ødegaard will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a knee injury
during his side’s 1–0 defeat to West Ham United earlier this month, manager Mikel
Arteta has confirmed.
Ødegaard, 26, set an unwanted Premier League record by
becoming the first player in league history to be substituted before half-time
in three consecutive starts, after being forced off injured against the Hammers
on October 3. The Norwegian playmaker had already been dealing with a recurring
shoulder problem earlier in the season.
“It will be weeks. No definite date for his return,
but he’s evolving well,” Arteta told reporters ahead of Arsenal’s trip to
Fulham on Saturday.
“Very unlucky, what’s happening with him and his injuries this season. It could
be (after the next international break), but we’ll have to see how the knee’s
healing. It’s too early to give an answer.”
Despite injury setbacks to key players including Bukayo
Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, and Noni Madueke, Arsenal have climbed to
the top of the Premier League, holding a one-point lead over Liverpool after
seven games.
Arteta also addressed concerns over striker Viktor
Gyökeres, who has scored just three goals in 10 appearances since joining the
Gunners and is currently on an eight-match goal drought for club and country.
“He brings so much to the team and watching the games
back, I’m very pleased with what he’s given,” said Arteta.
“I told him before the first meeting: the No. 9 I want is one who, if he
doesn’t score for six or eight games, can handle that. If not, you have to go
somewhere else, because the pressure is always going to be there.
“If you wear the number nine shirt for Arsenal, you
must stay consistent even when you don’t score. I want more of the same from
him — once we get those chances, he’ll put them in. I’m sure it’s going to
happen.”
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