Martin Odegaard is sidelined with a ‘significant’ injury (Photo: Getty)
Arsenal’s title aspirations have taken an early blow with Mikel Arteta confirming that Martin Odegaard’s injury is ‘significant’.
While an exact timescale on his return has not been specified, the Gunners captain will be sidelined ‘for a while’ and will miss a number of huge games.
This includes Sunday’s huge Premier League clash at Manchester City as well as their first two Champions League fixtures against Atalanta and PSG.
Yet, Arsenal performed very well in the recent north London derby win at Tottenham despite the absence of Odegaard and fellow midfielders Declan Rice (suspended) and Mikel Merino (injured).
Though he is one of their most influential players, Arteta no doubt has a plan to replace the Norwegian star. Here’s three ways Arsenal could line-up without Odegaard.
Stick with Trossard
Arteta surprised many by opting to deploy forward Leandro Trossard in Odegaard’s attacking midfield role against Spurs but it worked brilliantly.
The tactic keeps Arsenal in their usual 4-2-3-1 shape but also allows them to easily morph into a 4-2-2 when out of possession, with Trossard joining Kai Havertz up top.
Leandro Trossard replaced Odegaard for the north London derby (Photo: Getty)
The manager has stated he doesn’t plan to rotate his side much in the early phases of the season, a decision Gary Neville agrees with.
The only potential downside to this tactic is that Trossard wouldn’t be able to play on the left-wing, heaping more pressure on the struggling Gabriel Martinelli and summer signing Raheem Sterling.
Mikel Arteta says he doesn’t want to rotate his side too much (Photo: Metro.co.uk)
Give Nwaneri a chance
The hype around Ethan Nwaneri has been huge ever since he became the youngest player in Premier League history, making his debut aged 15 years and 181 days.
Now 17, there’s a great clamour from fans to see more of the versatile attacker after he scored 18 and assisted four in just 20 appearances for Arsenal U18s last season.
He looked good in his brief cameo off the bench against Tottenham and has the backing of Jorginho to support his case. Arteta is likely to resist temptation to start him but he looks set for more sub appearances.
Is it Ethan Nwaneri’s time to shine? (Photo: Metro.co.uk)
The redemption of Jesus
Given that Arteta resisted temptation to drop Havertz into Odegaard’s No.10 role for the north London derby, this is the least likely – but not impossible – option.
The German is more than capable of playing in a deeper role but who is capable of filling his void up top?
Trossard can and that would leave Martinelli or Sterling on the left-wing. But the Brazilian hasn’t scored since March and it remains to be seen if the Chelsea loanee can get back to his best.
Alternatively, Trossard keeps his place on the left-flank with the lesser spotted Gabriel Jesus returning to the starting XI.
The centre-forward has struggled with form and injury issues but still recorded a respectable eight goals and as many assists last season.
His record in the Champions League is very impressive, averaging a goal every other game for Manchester City and Arsenal. Time for a comeback?
If Kai Havertz drops deeper, Gabriel Jesus can play as the centre-forward (Photo: Metro.co.uk)
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