Arsenal Dealt Blow as Martin Ødegaard Suffers Shoulder Injury
Arsenal suffered a setback during their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, as captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off the pitch due to a recurrence of a right shoulder injury. The incident occurred in the 18th minute after a collision involving teammate Jurriën Timber.
Ødegaard's Injury Details
Ødegaard's injury occurred when he landed awkwardly following a challenge near the Forest penalty area. Despite attempting to continue playing, he was ultimately replaced by Ethan Nwaneri. This is not the first time Ødegaard has experienced this issue, as he previously injured his right shoulder during Arsenal's win against Leeds United last month.
The injury forced him to miss Arsenal's match against Liverpool prior to the international break. After recovering enough to feature for Norway over the international break, the recurrence of the injury has left the midfielder visibly frustrated.
Impact on Arsenal's Squad
Manager Mikel Arteta has voiced his frustration with the recurring injuries to key players. Bukayo Saka is also recovering from a hamstring injury sustained against Leeds. Other players currently unavailable due to injuries include Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and potentially Christian Nørgaard.
Upcoming Fixtures and Challenges
Ødegaard’s injury comes at a crucial time, with Arsenal set to begin their Champions League campaign against Athletic Bilbao. They also face a challenging run of fixtures including a home match against rivals Manchester City and a visit to Newcastle United. The absence of key players such as Bukayo Saka and William Saliba further complicates matters for Arteta's side.