Arsenal's Title Hopes Dented as Captain Martin Ødegaard Suffers Significant Ankle Injury

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard will be sidelined for a significant period after suffering an ankle ligament injury, dealing a major blow to the Gunners' Premier League title aspirations.

The 25-year-old Norwegian sustained the injury during his country's 2-1 win over Austria last week, and missed the North London derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. It's the latest in a string of injury woes for Arsenal, who are already without a number of key players.

The Impact of Odegaard's Absence

Ødegaard's absence is a major setback for Arsenal, who are aiming to challenge for the Premier League title this season. The Norwegian has been a key player for the Gunners since joining from Real Madrid in 2021, and his creative influence in midfield has been vital to their success.

Without Ødegaard, Arsenal lacks a natural playmaker who can unlock defenses. Declan Rice, while capable of playing in a more advanced role, lacks the creative eye of Ødegaard, who is a unique talent. The same could be said of Mikel Merino, who has yet to feature for Arsenal since joining from Real Sociedad in the summer after suffering a shoulder injury in his first training session with the squad.

Ødegaard's injury also adds a different complexion to the summer departure of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham. While Smith Rowe needed to leave the Emirates to further his individual career, Arsenal could have used him as an option right now. It's a situation where the 24-year-old could have helped tackle, especially with the creative void now present.

Arsenal Needs a Plan

Arteta's team has been set up to be difficult to beat against Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta, but they need more than this in an attacking sense. Many believed Arsenal was in a position to finally win the Premier League title this season, but Arteta is now facing one of his biggest challenges as manager of the North London club.

Arsenal might not have anticipated Ødegaard picking up an injury, but they now need to find a way to get by until his return in a few months' time. It's a crucial period for Arsenal, and their season is already on the line. The pressure is now on Arteta to find a solution to their creative problems, and to ensure that the Gunners remain competitive in the Premier League and Champions League.

Arteta's Plan B

In moments such as these, it is not uncommon for Mikel Arteta to rely on his most experienced squad members. When Ødegaard missed three games with a hip injury last autumn, Kai Havertz started all three games at right-sided No 8, while Jorginho and Rice made up the rest of the midfield in two of the matches. Compared to when he was used as a left-sided No 8 at the start of the year, Rice was more reserved in his positioning at this point, sitting closer to Jorginho.

Should Arteta revert to this thinking, it would not be surprising to see Havertz and Jorginho in midfield with Thomas Partey. Jorginho would be central, where he can look to dictate the tempo of the game, while Partey offers more protection and passing lanes to one side, with Havertz slightly more advanced. The German did play as a No 10 for Germany against Hungary last week, behind Niclas Fullkrug, and performed well as a link between midfield and attack. With this in mind, a slight change from Arteta’s favoured 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 could suit this midfield more.

How Will Arsenal Cope?

It's a crucial question for Arsenal fans. The Gunners have built out their squad depth over the past two seasons, but Arteta doesn't have another player like Ødegaard. While they're set up defensively, there is a significant question mark over how Arsenal will maintain its attacking threat without their captain. Only time will tell how the Gunners will cope in the absence of their talisman.

Can Arsenal Maintain their Momentum?

It remains to be seen how Arsenal will handle Ødegaard's absence. Their upcoming fixtures, including the Champions League opener against Atalanta and the daunting trip to Manchester City, will provide a stern test of their resilience and depth. The Gunners are facing a period of uncertainty, and Arteta will need to find a way to get the best out of his squad in the absence of their inspirational captain. It's a test of Arteta's managerial mettle, and one that could define their season.