September 10th 2024.
Stale Solbakken, the manager of Norway, couldn't resist making a playful jab at Mikel Arteta after Martin Odegaard suffered an injury during a recent match. The Arsenal captain was forced to exit the game due to the injury, leaving the Gunners with a potential gap in their lineup for the upcoming north London derby.
The injury to Odegaard adds to Arteta's already difficult situation, with key players Declan Rice and Mikel Merino already unavailable. Now, the manager will have to wait anxiously to see the severity of Odegaard's ankle injury and how it will impact their upcoming game against Tottenham.
The incident occurred during a Nations League match against Austria, when Christoph Baumgartner delivered a strong tackle on Odegaard. The midfielder had to be helped off the field by the medical staff, clearly in a lot of pain.
Solbakken's sarcastic remarks about the situation didn't exactly help Arteta's mood, as he faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Odegaard. The manager expressed his concern for the midfielder, stating that it looked like a sprain and hoping that the ligaments were not torn.
Despite the unfortunate injury, Arteta may have a few options to fill in for Odegaard. Kai Havertz, who has been in good form for Arsenal, could potentially take on the No.10 role. Another option could be Gabriel Jesus, who is returning to fitness after a groin injury last month.
There may also be opportunities for younger players like Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri to make an impression, with Nwaneri catching Arteta's eye during pre-season. However, it's clear that Arteta will miss Odegaard's presence on the field.
Meanwhile, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe, who could have been potential replacements for Odegaard, have both left the club in the summer. Vieira, who joined Porto on loan, expressed his love for the club and his desire to give his all on the pitch.
Overall, the injury to Odegaard is a blow for Arsenal, but it also presents opportunities for other players to step up and make an impact. Arteta will have to make some tough decisions ahead of the derby, but he remains determined to lead his team to victory.
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