Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that club captain Martin Ødegaard will be out for several weeks due to a knee injury, adding to the Premier League leaders’ growing list of sidelined players as they prepare to face Fulham on Saturday.
Ødegaard, who recently returned from a shoulder issue that kept him out for two weeks, becomes the fourth Arsenal player currently unavailable with a knee problem, joining Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke on the injury list.
“He will be weeks. No definite date for his return,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “But he is evolving well. It’s very unlucky what is happening with him.”
The Norwegian midfielder has struggled with fitness throughout the early part of the season, having been forced off during the first half of three consecutive Premier League home matches. Arteta stressed Ødegaard’s importance to the squad, saying, “He’s very, very important for us… we need him back as he makes us a better team.”
Despite the injury setbacks, Arsenal remain top of the table with a one-point lead over Liverpool and boast the league’s best defensive record, conceding just three goals in seven matches.
Squad Updates and Returnees
Arteta provided a mixed update on other squad members. Martin Zubimendi and Ben White, who missed training on Thursday, are expected to be available for the weekend fixture. Ecuadorian centre-back Piero Hincapié could also return to the matchday squad after a month-long absence due to a groin injury.
Arteta Defends Goal-Shy Gyökeres
The Arsenal boss also voiced support for striker Viktor Gyökeres, who, despite being the club’s top scorer in the league with three goals, has not found the net in his last six appearances across all competitions.
“He brings so much to the team,” Arteta said. “I told him before the first meeting that the number nine I want is the number nine who doesn’t score for six or eight games and he can handle it.”
Arteta emphasized the mental resilience required to lead the line for a club of Arsenal’s stature, adding, “If you put on the number nine shirt for Arsenal, you have to be able to say, six games I don’t score, will I be a different player or act in a different way?”
Focus Remains on Consistency
With 14 goals scored so far—just one behind Manchester City—Arsenal’s attacking output remains strong. However, Arteta dismissed any early title talk, choosing instead to focus on short-term performance.
“I prefer to win every game,” he said. “The only thing we can do is perform on Saturday and win the game. That increases the chances of when it really matters, in March and April, that you are in the best possible position.”