September 11th 2024.
Martin Odegaard, the talented midfielder for Arsenal, recently suffered an ankle injury while playing for Norway in their Nations League match against Austria. This has raised concerns for the team, as Arsenal captain Odegaard is now a major doubt for their upcoming match against Tottenham.
Troy Deeney, the former Watford striker, has questioned Arsenal's decision to sell Emile Smith Rowe and believes that the young midfielder could have been the perfect replacement for Odegaard. Deeney expressed his thoughts on talkSPORT, stating that Arsenal has been lucky in the past two years with no major injuries or suspensions affecting their team. However, this may be the first time they will be without two key players, with Declan Rice suspended and summer signing Mikel Merino also injured.
Odegaard had to be assisted off the pitch by the Norwegian medical staff and was later seen using crutches as he boarded a flight back to England. This has left Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with a potential headache for their upcoming match against Tottenham. Deeney believes that Odegaard's absence will be a monumental loss for the team.
Deeney also mentioned Arsenal's decision to sell Smith Rowe to Fulham for £27m this summer. He feels that Arsenal may now regret this decision, as Smith Rowe could have been the ideal replacement for Odegaard in this situation. Deeney added that while Smith Rowe may not have the same qualities as Odegaard, he would have been a great stop-gap for the team.
Deeney also pointed out the strength in depth of Manchester City, stating that this is what sets them apart from teams like Arsenal in the Premier League. He mentioned that while Arsenal's starting XI is strong, they may struggle if any key players get injured. He believes that this is where Manchester City has the advantage over other teams.
In the face of Odegaard's injury, Deeney suggested that Arsenal may have to make some adjustments, such as dropping Kai Havertz back or using an injured Gabriel Jesus. He also mentioned that Arsenal's lack of depth may be a disadvantage for them in the long run.
Overall, Deeney's analysis highlights the importance of having a strong and deep squad in the Premier League. With Odegaard's injury and other key players missing, Arsenal will have to find a way to overcome this challenge and continue their success in the league.
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