The metronomic Norwegian has been a near ever-present in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI since he made his move to north London permanent ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. We’ve seen the humble playmaker evolve pretty drastically in these parts, with Odegaard shouldering immense responsibility with and without the ball as Arsenal developed into Premier League title contenders.
Odegaard’s significance to the club’s rise under Arteta meant the fear and panic which spread among the fanbase as we saw him limp off during a Nations League bout between Norway and Austria was justified. His ankle injury didn’t appear particularly clever, with pessimism coursing among pseudo-medical marvels online. Nevertheless, it became clear that the Gunners were going to be without their influential skipper for a prolonged period and it’s not yet known when we’re going to see Odegaard back jeering up the Emirates crowd.
