Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has resumed on-pitch training and now targets a return from his knee injury after the November international break. He hopes to be available for the North London Derby against Tottenham on November 23.
He sustained a medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee during a challenge against West Ham United on October 4, an incident that forced him to withdraw from Norway’s national squad. In recent programme notes, Ødegaard said he feels encouraged by how his rehabilitation is progressing, but he also acknowledged that the exact return date depends on how well his knee responds to increasing training load over the coming days.
The Martin Odegaard drama for Arsenal
This injury continues a sequence of setbacks that have disrupted his season. He previously dealt with two separate shoulder issues, which limited his match rhythm and confidence earlier in the campaign. Despite his absence, the team has continued to perform well, and Mikel Arteta has praised the depth and adaptability of the squad.
Ødegaard has remained present within the environment, attending meetings and matches to support teammates and maintain leadership influence.
Some observers believe Arsenal have shown that they can function effectively without Ødegaard in certain tactical setups. This does not push him out of the long-term plans. Instead, it suggests that Arteta now has multiple creative solutions within the squad, which reduces the pressure to rush Ødegaard back into the starting lineup before he is physically and mentally ready.
Tactical Arguments and Performance Context
The injury period allowed summer signings such as Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi to settle into meaningful roles. Eze plays the number 10 position with a more direct and ball-carrying threat, while Zubimendi has altered Arsenal’s progression structure by offering incisive forward passing from deeper zones. Their presence has diversified the way Arsenal play and reduced the previous reliance on Ødegaard as the primary central creator.
Arsenal also adjusted their buildup during his absence by leaning more on wide combinations and pressing transitions. This change has made the attack less predictable and more varied, particularly in matches where opponents block central zones.
Meanwhile, Ødegaard’s form dipped before the injury, with his goal involvement decreasing and his confidence in finishing situations not matching previous standards. The constant rotation of attacking partners due to other injuries, including Bukayo Saka’s, contributed to the inconsistency.
Arsenal’s attacking output declined without him, but the team did not collapse. The performances showed the squad could sustain competitive levels while sharing creative responsibility.
For Ødegaard, this situation creates an opportunity to re-enter a structure that does not place the same creative burden solely on him. A gradual and balanced return allows him to regain rhythm naturally without forcing the team to revert immediately to earlier patterns.
Allowing Ødegaard to return on his own timing ensures both the player and the team benefit. When he reaches full sharpness, he remains central to Arsenal’s identity. The key now is to reintroduce him in a way that preserves the tactical balance the team has developed during his absence.
