Martin Odegaard is an injury doubt for the second leg of Arsenal’s Europa League quarter-final against Slavia Prague, according to Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (R) warms up for the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (R) warms up for the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP)

Along with David Luiz and Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard was one of the key misses for Arsenal against Slavia Prague in their Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

Though Mikel Arteta had Emile Smith Rowe as an alternative, it clearly wasn’t ideal to lose Odegaard, given his recent form. The midfielder is struggling with an ankle injury he picked up over the international break with Norway.

Speaking after the game, Arteta confirmed fears that Odegaard could miss the second leg as well, but he said they’re still not sure just yet.

“We don’t know,” Arteta admitted. “He wasn’t able to play today and I think he will be out for the next game or two. But we don’t know yet.”

It seems likely Odegaard will at least miss the upcoming Sheffield United clash, which gives Arteta another problem.

With the doubts about Odegaard’s fitness, he’ll probably need to use Smith Rowe in the Europa League second leg, but can he trust the youngster’s fitness enough to play him on Sunday as well? If not, who starts ahead of him? Dani Ceballos?

The weekend’s Premier League fixture is a worry Arteta could do without ahead of a season-defining second-leg in Prague.