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Martin Odegaard injury update: Will Arsenal captain play vs Bayern Munich?
- Martin Odegaard was forced off late on in Aston Villa defeat
- Odegaard suffered blow to chest in second half
- Arsenal travel to Munich in midweek
Mikel Arteta confirmed post-match that Martin Odegaard's controversial substitution during Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday was enforced.
The Gunners handed the initiative to Manchester City in the Premier League title race as they failed to capitalise on Liverpool's earlier defeat at home to Crystal Palace. Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck late on for the visitors, with Arsenal now two points adrift of City at the summit with six games to go.
A dire second-half display meant defeat was all the hosts deserved, with Arteta's side forced to rue a profligate opening period during which their captain was the star of the show. While Odegaard's influence waned after half-time as Villa started to take control of the bout, his substitution with 11 minutes to go came as a major surprise.
Martin Odegaard injury update: Will Arsenal captain play vs Bayern Munich?
The score remained goalless by the time Odegaard was withdrawn, but Arteta confirmed that his captain was forced off.
"He [Odegaard] was feeling something. Could not continue," the boss told football.london post-match. The Norwegian didn't appear to be carrying an injury as he trudged off, although he did take a blow to the chest from Diego Carlos' acrobatic effort midway through the second half.
Fatigue may have also played a role. Only Declan Rice and William Saliba have notched more Premier League minutes for the Gunners than Odegaard (2,565) this season, with the Norwegian also performing an incredibly demanding role out of possession in leading Arsenal's fierce press.
Odegaard's half by numbers vs. Villa:
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 14, 2024
100% tackles won
88% pass accuracy
2 chances created
2 shots
2 dribbles
Gliding around this afternoon. 🛼🛼🛼 pic.twitter.com/pKepXUTvZa
There have been previous instances of Odegaard's work without the ball compromising his effort on it - most notably at the Etihad on 31 March - and he may well have suffered again on Sunday.
However, in terms of his status for Wednesday, Gooners surely won't need to worry. Arteta refused to specify Odegaard's issue, but the captain is not going to be missing such a seismic encounter. Following last Tuesday's 2-2 draw, the tie is in the balance with a Champions League semi-final spot at stake.
Arsenal must quickly rid themselves of Sunday's drab display and go about making some history in Bavaria.
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