Arsenal have been handed a fresh blow following the news that Martin Odegaard is set to be out until after the November international break with a knee injury.
Odegaard, who has completed 90 minutes just twice so far this season, has struggled for fitness and had only just returned from a recurring shoulder injury before his withdrawal against West Ham.
Arsenal’s strength in depth has meant that Odegaard’s absences have so far not been as sorely felt as last season, when the Norwegian midfielder spent three months out with an ankle injury.
However, with fixtures piling up, Arteta has been left to contend with yet another injury issue, having only just welcomed back Bukayo Saka from a hamstring problem.
Odegaard is expected to miss Arsenal’s next seven games across all competitions, though Arteta will hope to have the 26-year-old back in time for the north London derby against Tottenham after the November international break.
Following the visit of Spurs, Arsenal face Bayern Munich and Chelsea in successive games. Odegaard also looks set to be sidelined for Norway’s crunch final pair of World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Italy next month.
Which Arsenal games will Martin Odegaard miss?
Oct 18: Fulham (A) – Premier League
Oct 21: Atletico Madrid (H) – Champions League
Oct 26: Crystal Palace (H) – Premier League
Oct 29: Brighton (H) – Carabao Cup
Nov 1: Burnley (A) – Premier League
Nov 4: Slavia Prague (A) – Champions League
Nov 8: Sunderland (A) – Premier League
