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Arsenal handed massive Martin Odegaard and Tierney injury blow

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal walks off the pitch after picking up an injury as teammate Martin Oedegaard looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal walks off the pitch after picking up an injury as teammate Martin Oedegaard looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal look set to be without Martin Odegaard for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash with Slavia Prague on Thursday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s preparations for the biggest game of his managerial career have been anything but ideal with a crushing 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool in their last game before the fixture and multiple injury concerns have risked bringing their season to a crashing halt.

Being torn apart by Liverpool wasn’t helped by the absences of a key quartet for the Gunners, as David Luiz had to go under the knife to deal with a knee problem while Granit Xhaka in front of him missed out due to illness.

In attack the absences of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka were keenly felt, and the injury sustained to Kieran Tierney in the dying stages of the first half was perhaps the most devastating of all.

Arsenal handed massive Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney injury blow ahead of Slavia Prague Europa League quarter-final

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday night, Arteta provided a update on the Scotsman who was rumoured to be out for a few weeks, confirming that the injury is set to keep him out of action for anywhere between four and six weeks, as confirmed on the official club website.

It almost certainly means that Cedric Soares and Bukayo Saka will be forced to share the left-back duties until the 23-year-old returns, which everyone will be crossing their fingers at being the lower end of the expected absence. How damaging it was not signing a left-back in January.

However, it doesn’t end there.

Also revealed is that Martin Odegaard is a doubt to face the Czech side, as he is being assessed for discomfort in his right ankle, an issue he was said to have picked up over the international break.

As in, the one he came back from and then played 90 minutes against Liverpool in? It would appear the medical department have made another foolish error.

On the positive side, Emile Smith Rowe will take his place in the starting lineup in the No. 10 slot, a position he hasn’t filled in recent weeks due to the Norwegian’s fine form. There are also returns for Granit Xhaka and Saka, so some positive news to balance the negatives.

Next. Predicted lineup vs Slavia Prague. dark

Still, the Tierney absence is the suckerpunch.

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