Arsenal captain Odegaard to be sidelined for a 'few weeks'

Martin Odegaard faces a knee MCL layoff of a few weeks, forcing Arsenal to reshuffle creative midfield. Punters should expect Arsenal win odds to drift; consider reduced-scoring markets, draws, or backing Eberechi Eze/other creators to provide value while Odegaard is absent.

Martin Odegaard ruled out for "a few weeks" after MCL injury

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury and will miss "a few weeks," withdrawing from international duty as he begins rehabilitation. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed there is no definite return date yet but said Odegaard is "evolving well" in his recovery and the club will monitor progress step by step.

How the injury happened and the immediate outlook

Odegaard sustained the injury during the 2-0 win over West Ham, coming off after a knee-on-knee challenge. This is the third significant setback for the midfielder this season following two earlier shoulder problems. Medical expectations for an MCL typically point to an average absence around 41 days, though recovery can vary.

Tactical implications and squad adjustments

Losing Odegaard disrupts Arsenal's primary creative hub. The manager has options: Eberechi Eze is the most obvious creative replacement, while Ethan Nwaneri or Mikel Merino could also be used to shuffle the midfield. Arsenal have already demonstrated resilience when top players have been absent, but recurring injuries to key personnel raise questions about squad load management heading into a congested schedule.

What this means on the pitch

Expect Arsenal to alter build-up patterns and possibly rely more on wing play and set-piece creativity while the captain is out. Opponents may target transitions and press higher, seeking to exploit any disruption to Arsenal’s midfield cohesion.

Squad fitness update

Martin Zubimendi — managed workload and missed training sessions; expected to be available. Ben White — monitored in training; fitness being carefully managed. Piero Hincapié — returning to training after a groin problem and could be available if he continues to progress. Noni Madueke — recovering from a knee issue and nearing running work. Kai Havertz — undergoing an extended knee rehab process and remains on a careful timeline to protect long-term fitness.

Upcoming fixtures that will test Arsenal's depth

Fulham (A) – Premier League Atlético Madrid (H) – Champions League Crystal Palace (H) – Premier League Brighton (H) – League Cup fourth round Burnley (A) – Premier League

Big-picture assessment

Arsenal’s season will be a test of both squad depth and Arteta’s rotation strategy. While replacements exist, losing a playmaker of Odegaard’s influence for several weeks will likely affect creative output and could open short-term value in betting markets that reflect lower scoring or closer results.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to be sidelined for a "few weeks" with a knee injury.

Sky Sports