PREMIER LEAGUE
Why isn’t Martin Odegaard playing today for Arsenal against Burnley in the Premier League?
The former Real Madrid midfielder is one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet but is unavailable once again.
Martin Odegaard has been one of the first names of the team sheet since joining Arsenal, especially after being handed the captain’s armband by manager Mikel Arteta. However, the Norwegian international is once again the main absentee for The Gunners’ home Premier League game against Burnley on Saturday.
What injury does Odegaard have?
The midfielder skippered the team in the first 12 competitive games of the season (nine in the league and three in the Champions League) before picking up what initially appeared to be a fairly innocuous hip injury.
The issue wasn’t deemed serious enough to prevent the 24-year-old from being named as a substitute in the 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at the Emirates on 28 October, although his services weren’t ultimately required with Arsenal downing with The Blades with ease.
When Odegaard came off the bench in the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham three days later, the assumption was he was nearing full fitness once again and that he would return to the team in the next league game away to Newcastle United on 4 November.
Gunners captain’s recovery taking long than expected
But the former Real Madrid man’s name was surprisingly missing from the squad at St James’ Park and he has subsequently been forced to sit out the midweek European victory over Sevilla as well as the Premier League clash with Burnley.
Arteta confirmed that his captain would be a doubt to face The Clarets, with Odegaard himself only briefly referencing his injury in his captain’s notes for the matchday programme, which can also be found on the Arsenal website. “It’s been really frustrating for me to miss the last couple of games, and also that last league game here, the 5-0 win over Sheffield United.”
When will Odegaard be back in action?
The Norwegian’s potential return has been taken on a game-by-game basis and, ironically for The Gunners, the playmaker’s comeback could come in the upcoming international break for Norway, who play the Faroe Islands and Scotland on 16 and 19 November respectively.