Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was seen engaged in a prolonged and animated dialogue with supervisor Mikel Arteta after being substituted throughout the Gunners’ hard-fought 1-0 Champions League victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday night time.
The Norwegian playmaker was changed by Kai Havertz, who went on to attain the profitable objective, within the seventieth minute.
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Earlier than taking his place on the bench, Odegaard gave the impression to be explaining a bodily problem to Arteta, pointing towards his leg whereas visibly grimacing.
Based on BBC Sport Arsenal reporter Alex Howell: “Martin Odegaard comes off and appears to have a little bit of a limp. He did have remedy earlier than being changed by Kai Havertz. He has a protracted discuss with Mikel Arteta earlier than sitting on the bench too.”
Arteta later confirmed in his post-match feedback that whereas the substitution was “partly tactical,” it was additionally a “precautionary” measure given the participant’s latest health struggles.
Martin Odegaard has had an damage marred season
The sight of Odegaard limping will likely be a significant concern for Arsenal supporters, because the midfielder has endured a “nightmare” 2025/26 marketing campaign tormented by recurring points.
| Interval | Damage | Video games Missed |
| September 2025 | Shoulder Damage | 3 |
| October 2025 | Knee Damage | 8 |
| February 2026 | Muscle Damage + Knock | 4 |
| Feb–March 2026 | Knee Recurrence | 7 |
Odegaard accidents this season by way of transfermarkt
Having solely just lately returned to the beginning lineup following a month-long layoff with a knee drawback, this newest “muscular blow” in Lisbon places his availability for the second leg and the crucial Premier League run-in in danger.
With Arsenal at the moment lacking Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, dropping their inventive engine as soon as once more could be a catastrophic blow to their hopes of a historic European and home double.
