Mikel Arteta has moved to allay fears surrounding the fitness of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after he was substituted during the Gunners' hard-fought 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Norwegian playmaker, who has been instrumental in Arsenal's title charge, was replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the latter stages of the match at Molineux, sparking immediate concern amongst the travelling supporters.
However, in his post-match press conference, Arteta provided a reassuring update, suggesting the decision was purely precautionary. 'He was feeling something. He could not continue. We don't know [how bad it is] yet. We have to assess him tomorrow. But hopefully it will be nothing big.'
This news will come as a massive relief to the Arsenal faithful, with the North London club locked in a tense three-way battle for the Premier League crown alongside Manchester City and Liverpool. The potential loss of their skipper and creative heartbeat for the final crucial fixtures would have been a devastating blow.
Arsenal's Resilience on Display
Despite the worry over Odegaard, the team showcased their championship mettle by securing a clean sheet and all three points without their talisman. Leandro Trossard's opportunistic first-half strike, capitalising on a defensive error, set them on their way.
The points were then sealed deep into stoppage time by captain-for-the-night Martin Odegaard, who slotted home calmly just minutes before his eventual substitution, proving his worth once again.
Saka's Return to Form
Another positive for Arteta was the performance of Bukayo Saka, who looked back to his electrifying best after a recent quiet spell. The England international was a constant menace to the Wolves defence, providing the assist for Odegaard's clinching goal and appearing to shake off any lingering fitness issues of his own.
All eyes will now be on the Arsenal training ground at London Colney as the medical team assesses Odegaard. With a pivotal North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, Arteta will be desperately hoping his manager's update proves accurate and that his captain is fit and ready to lead the charge for the title.
