Arsenal have suffered a huge blow with Gabriel Magalhães out for a month, but the blow will at least be softened with captain Martin Odegaard expected to be available for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham.
However, we are not convinced that keeping Odegaard in the starting lineup is the best idea.
2025/26 season hit by Martin Odegaard’s injury
Left the pitch twice with a shoulder injury vs. Leeds Aggravated the same injury Three weeks later vs. Nottingham Forest Suffered a knee injury vs. West Ham on 4 October Missed Arsenal’s last seven games and Norway’s last four
It would be bold to think that Mikel Arteta would not include Odegaard in the starting XI for such a big game, but after all, he is the club’s captain and the Spaniard’s most influential playmaker.
It was the first time in seven games that Arsenal were without the Norway international, but Arsenal were never without their talismanic captain.
Without Odegaard, the Premier League leaders were unbeaten in six of their seven games and drew 2-2 in the other with Sunderland. Their form has been excellent and their captain’s absence from the squad may raise questions about Arsenal’s defensive solidity.
According to The Sun’s Charlie Wyett, Odegaard has returned to full training with Arsenal, having been with Norway’s side as they qualified for the World Cup, which he will coach next summer.
Wyett said the 26-year-old was “on track to be back” against Spurs on Sunday after Gabriel, ironically injured for Brazil in a friendly at the Emirates, was forced to miss a month.
Meanwhile, Victor Gokeres’ availability for the North London derby remains in doubt. The Swede has not featured since being sent off at half-time against Burnley three weeks ago.
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Arsenal were perfect without Odegaard
With Ebele Eze filling the playmaking hole left by Odegaard, Arsenal are actually better than ever and have established themselves as favorites to win the Premier League.
There was a glitch in Arteta’s system in Arsenal’s most recent game against Sunderland, but there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken.
Declan Rice was another player who benefited from being given more attacking responsibility, while Martin Zvimendi helped provide the calmness and technical presence that Odegaard usually brings.
It’s clear that Odegaard will be on the bench against Spurs, with Eze, Reis and Zvimendi slotted in midfield behind Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard.
Gabriel injury could cause headaches for Lewis Skelly vs. Hincapie
Gabriel’s injury further reduced certainty at the back. Will Arteta replace him with Piero Hincapie, or will he move Riccardo Calafioli to centre-back and move Miles Lewis-Skelly back to left-back? Regarding continuity, consider the former.
However, Hincapie primarily played as a left-back at Arsenal, and developed into the player he is today by playing as a left-back in a back three at Bayer Leverkusen.
Having said that, he started at centre-back against Brighton in the Carabao Cup and kept a clean sheet. It’s actually a very simple decision, but they’re two great options that highlight the depth of Arteta’s squad, especially in defence.
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