ARSENAL have been dealt a major injury blow after Martin Odegaard was forced off injured against Nottingham Forest

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered another injury setback during the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The midfielder, who has been dealing with a shoulder problem in recent weeks, was forced to leave the pitch in the 17th minute after a heavy challenge from Morgan Gibbs White. He looked visibly frustrated as he made way for 18 year old Ethan Nwaneri, who replaced him in midfield.

See also: A look back on some brilliant derbies between Manchester United and Manchester City

Odegaard originally picked up the shoulder problem against Leeds United when he fell awkwardly, and while he was rested against Liverpool before the international break, he still went on to represent Norway. The 25 year old midfielder even scored for his country in a comfortable win over Moldova. However, his return to club action ended in disappointment as he aggravated the same shoulder, raising serious concerns about his availability for the crucial fixtures ahead.

This development could not have come at a worse time for Arsenal. With their Champions League campaign about to kick off and an away trip to Manchester City looming, losing their captain and creative spark is a serious blow.

See also: Club Owners and Their Nationalities (Premier League 2025)
 

Arsenal’s injury problems are mounting and Odegaard’s setback adds to Mikel Arteta’s growing concerns. The team is already without several key players including Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. Saliba was forced off with an injury early in the match against Liverpool, while Havertz and Saka are still sidelined. Odegaard’s injury only deepens the crisis, leaving Arsenal short of leaders and attacking threats.

The timing could hardly be worse. Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday with a tough home fixture against Athletic Club. The return to Europe’s biggest stage is highly anticipated, but the absence of their captain could affect both creativity and stability in midfield. Just days later, the Gunners face a defining early season test as they travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on defending champions Manchester City.

Arteta will be hoping for positive news from the medical team, but there is real worry that his captain could miss both fixtures. The manager must now look towards young talents like Nwaneri and experienced squad members to step up during this challenging period. Arsenal’s hopes in both the Premier League and Champions League may depend on how quickly their injured stars recover.