Arsenal Captain Odegaard Provides Injury Update After Brentford Knock
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has admitted he was "very sore" after picking up a knock during Thursday's Premier League draw against Brentford, but has moved to allay fears of a serious injury. The Norwegian midfielder was seen limping after the match, sparking concerns among Gunners supporters.
Injury Incident During Crucial Match
The injury occurred during Brentford's equaliser in the 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium. Odegaard hurt himself while attempting to challenge Keane Lewis-Potter inside the penalty area, failing to prevent the Brentford winger from scoring. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch immediately to assess the Arsenal captain, who appeared to be in considerable pain.
"I picked up a bit of an injury when they scored their goal, but hopefully it's not too bad," Odegaard wrote in the matchday programme. "We'll see how it goes in the build-up to today's game and over the next few days."
Detailed Explanation of the Knock
The Norwegian international provided specific details about how the injury occurred: "I tried to clear the ball as it came down, but instead kicked into the player a bit, and ended up over-stretching my leg, which pinched the knee."
Despite the discomfort, Odegaard managed to complete the full match as Arsenal dropped two valuable points, seeing their lead at the Premier League summit reduced to just four points. However, concerns grew post-match when the captain was observed struggling through the mixed zone.
Recovery Timeline and FA Cup Implications
Odegaard revealed that the pain intensified the following morning: "I was able to carry on, but on Friday morning it was very sore, so I was worried of course, but thankfully it looks like it's not too bad."
The timing presents a dilemma for manager Mikel Arteta, with Arsenal scheduled to face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round just three days after the Brentford match. While Odegaard remains unlikely to start against the League One side, his update suggests the injury may not be long-term.
FA Cup Ambitions Remain Strong
Despite his fitness concerns, Odegaard emphasised Arsenal's determination in the FA Cup: "Today it's a change of focus in the FA Cup, which is a big target for us. This group of players hasn't had a run in this competition, and it's definitely something we want to do."
The captain highlighted the team's recent record in the competition: "In recent years, we've gone out quite early, so that's something we want to make better and it's another competition we want to go all the way in."
Arsenal surprisingly haven't progressed beyond the fourth round since 2020, adding significance to Sunday's encounter. Manager Mikel Arteta echoed his captain's sentiments: "It's an opportunity for the team, again, with another competition, and the history that we have related to that competition, it's amazing."
Broader Context of Arsenal's Season
The injury comes at a crucial juncture in Arsenal's campaign as they compete on four fronts:
- Premier League title challenge
- FA Cup fourth round against Wigan
- Champions League knockout stages approaching
- Carabao Cup already secured this season
Arteta emphasised the squad's adaptability: "Every three days we are getting so used to playing different competitions, home or away, and we know what that competition means to the club, to ourselves, and go step by step."
While Odegaard's immediate participation remains uncertain, his positive assessment provides relief for Arsenal supporters concerned about their captain's fitness during this critical period of the season.
