It should have been a perfect evening for Mikel Arteta, who marked his 300th game in charge with a confident 2–0 win over West Ham, but Arsenal’s joy was dampened when Martin Ødegaard limped off with another injury. The captain was forced off after a knee-to-knee clash midway through the first half which is a worrying trend for the midfielder who has already missed games this season through shoulder problems.
Speaking after the game, Arteta said:
He had a clash, knee-to-knee, and immediately he was uncomfortable. He’s got a brace on. We’ll have to wait and see what the doctors say.
Ødegaard’s absence will be a massive blow as Arsenal continue their strong start to the season. Arteta’s men have shown resilience in recent weeks, overcoming injuries to key players while maintaining their attacking rhythm. Their recent dominance, including the 2–0 derby win over West Ham as reported by Softfootball, has reinforced belief that the team can push deep into multiple competitions.
Fans have also praised Arsenal’s grit and defensive solidity in what many called a statement win. As reported by Softfootball, you can see how supporters reacted to the victory here Fans react as Arsenal beat West Ham 2–0 in heated London derby.
Fabrizio Romano also shares Mikel Arteta’s update on his official X handle confirming Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard’s knee injury from the West Ham match requires a brace, with scans pending after he was subbed off after 30 minutes.
With Bukayo Saka also reaching 100 Premier League goal involvements, Arsenal’s spirit remains high despite the injury setbacks. As they head into the international break, fans will be hoping Ødegaard recovers quickly, because when fit, the Norwegian playmaker gives the Gunners a completely different dimension in attack.
