Following news that Martin Ødegaard is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury, Arsenal are looking for ways to limit the damage the captain’s absence will have on the Gunners.
There’s little doubt about the influence the Norwegian star has on the side, but the Scandinavian’s absence opens the door for summer signing Eberechi Eze to really shine in the final third of the field.
Arsenal without Ødegaard a different beast
It’s been steady progress since his arrival from Real Madrid back in 2021, but Ødegaard has slowly but surely become a key cog in the Arsenal machine in recent years. The Gunners, who are 10/11 with a bet on sports online to win the Premier League title this season, have been known to drop off in numbers when their skipper is not on the field. Arsenal, who are 6/1 in sport betting tips to claim the Champions League title this season, have shown a lower win rate in the league when the man from Drammen is not on the field. Stats from back in 2024, when Ødegaard was nursing an ankle injury, showed goals per match dropped from 2.1 to 1.6 in his absence, while shots per 90 minutes also went down from 15.9 per game to 13.3.
It would be concerning if Ødegaard’s absence was not felt, given he is the club’s captain and a talisman for the side under manager Mikel Arteta, who has often spoken of his importance to the team. The numbers rarely lie, and with the former Strømsgodset starlet set to spend several weeks on the sidelines with an MCL injury, Arsenal will have to find ways to cushion the blow as they look to build on what has been a positive start to their Premier League season and European campaign.
Eze has potential to fill the void
One of the most exciting signings of the summer, Eze looks like a great fit for the style of football under Arteta and has the ability to contribute important goals and assists in Ødegaard’s absence. Scoring 34 goals and providing 25 assists in his first 152 Premier League appearances, Eze has proven himself to be a real threat in the final third. A player who looks incredibly relaxed on the ball and capable of things other attackers can only dream of, the England international helped Crystal Palace end their wait for silverware last season by winning the FA Cup.
After his success with the Eagles, Eze has made the switch to the Emirates seeking a Premier League winners’ medal and European glory. Much like Ødegaard, Eze has made a steady start to life with the Gunners, but he has the potential to really dazzle in north London over the coming months.
Undoubtedly, the loss of Ødegaard to this knee injury is a blow for Arsenal and boss Arteta and his team will be working on strategies to try to soften the impact. In Eze, the Gunners have a ready-made playmaker ready to take his game to new heights before the Norwegian’s welcome return before the festive period.