Arsenal's Injury Crisis Continues, but Odegaard Offers a Ray of Hope

Mikel Arteta confirmed Arsenal will be without Declan Rice when the Gunners face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. Just when Arsenal's injury crisis was slowly ending, Rice became the next player relegated to the sidelines. Despite playing all 90 minutes of the Gunners' 1–0 defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend, the midfielder is now unfit to travel and feature in Wednesday's Champions League clash.

In his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed The England international is dealing with an injury to his foot. “Declan picked up an injury against Newcastle,” the Arsenal boss said. “He was able to finish [the match] and he wasn’t feeling good the last few days. We’ll have to assess him on Thursday and see if he’s ready for Chelsea.”

Although the injury does not sound serious, losing Rice for any period of time is a blow to Arsenal. Even though his production in the early stages of the 2024–25 season has been underwhelming, he still is one of the team's best playmakers. The Gunners will especially miss his set piece deliveries against a disciplined Inter backline. Looking ahead, Rice could also miss a trip to Stamford Bridge on Nov. 10, leaving Arteta's midfield shorthanded once again. Collecting all three points against Chelsea is vital to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes after falling to fifth in the standings.

Odegaard's Return: A Welcome Boost

The good news for Arsenal is that Martin Ødegaard returned to full training and traveled with the squad to Milan. The midfielder suffered a serious ankle injury while representing Norway on Sept. 9 and has been absent ever since. Without their captain, the Gunners dropped points to Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Ødegaard's return is a significant boost for Arsenal, who have struggled to find their rhythm in his absence. His creativity and leadership on the pitch have been sorely missed, and his presence will provide a much-needed lift to the team. The midfielder's return to full training ahead of the Inter Milan clash has given Arsenal fans a reason to be optimistic. The team has looked disjointed in his absence, and his leadership on the pitch is crucial to their success.

The Impact of Ødegaard's Absence

The Gunners' attack has declined on a number of metrics since Ødegaard's injury, including chances created, shots, and xG. The team's progressive passes per 90 have also plummeted, highlighting the importance of Ødegaard's role in binding the team together from back to front. Ødegaard's absence has been a major factor in Arsenal's struggles this season. The team's attack has been less fluid and less effective without him, and they have been unable to replicate his creativity and passing range.

Can Arsenal Bounce Back?

With Ødegaard back in the fold, Arsenal will be hoping to rediscover their winning form. The team has a number of key fixtures coming up, including the Champions League clash with Inter Milan and the Premier League match against Chelsea. Ødegaard's return will be crucial if Arsenal are to challenge for the title this season. The Gunners have a lot of ground to make up after a slow start to the season. Ødegaard's return could be the catalyst they need to get back on track.

A Glimpse of Hope Amidst the Injury Crisis

While Rice's absence is a blow, Ødegaard's return offers a glimmer of hope for Arsenal fans. The captain's presence will be a huge boost to the team's morale and performances. The Gunners will be hoping that his return will mark a turning point in their season, and that they can get back to winning ways.

Arsenal's Injury Concerns

Despite the welcome return of Ødegaard, Arsenal's injury list remains concerning. The Gunners are still without a number of key players, including Calafiori and Tomiyasu, and the absence of Rice further compounds their problems. Arsenal need to get their injury crisis under control if they want to be serious contenders this season.

The Next Few Weeks Are Crucial

The next few weeks will be crucial for Arsenal. They have a number of tough fixtures coming up, and they will need to be at their best to get positive results. Ødegaard's return will be a big help, but the team will need to find a way to cope without Rice and other key players.

The Road Ahead: A Challenge for Arteta

The team's success this season will depend on how Arteta manages the injury situation and gets the best out of the players available. It will be a challenge for Arteta, but it's one that he will be looking to overcome.