Arsenal could be missing Martin Odegaard for some huge games already this season.
The Gunners captain was forced off midway through the second half of Norway’s win against Austria on Monday and is a major doubt for Sunday’s north London derby.
Odegaard flew back to London on Tuesday and was photographed boarding his flight with the aid of crutches.
Norway doctor Ola Sand told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang on Wednesday that the initial signs are Odegaard has not fractured his ankle.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping that is the case, given Arsenal face a crucial week.
After facing Tottenham on Sunday, they travel to Atalanta for their Champions League opener next Thursday, before a trip to champions Manchester City the following Sunday.
Odegaard is the heartbeat of Arteta’s team, and now the Spaniard has a serious selection headache, as no one in the squad can match what he brings. Here, we assess the manager’s options.
Drop Havertz into midfield
This feels the most likely solution if Odegaard is out for an extended period.
He missed three Premier League games last season and for all of those Kai Havertz replaced him as the right No8 in Arsenal’s midfield.
The German has excelled as a striker for Arsenal, but he was originally signed from Chelsea to play in midfield and is capable of doing so.
It would allow Arteta to stick with his 4-3-3 formation, with the Spaniard’s preference for keeping changes to a minimum.
Havertz, however, lacks Odegaard’s creativity. Since the start of last season, no player in the Premier League has created more chances from open play than Odegaard.
Throw Sterling straight in
The big issue for Arteta is that he is without Declan Rice and Mikel Merino for the trip to Spurs.
That could force him into a rethink and, while dropping Havertz back may work in the long term, it looks difficult this weekend given the options available.
Jorginho and Thomas Partey may have to start together for just the third time, with both of them preferring to play at the base of midfield.
As a result, Arteta could shift from having one holding midfielder to two.
It would mean a change in formation, with the use of a 4-2-3-1 opening the door for Raheem Sterling to make his debut by playing ahead of Jorginho and Partey. The 29-year-old, who signed on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, can operate as a No10 and Arteta knows what he brings after working with him at Manchester City.
Play two No10s
This was a tactic Arteta deployed to good use against Liverpool last season, when Arsenal beat the Reds 3-1 in February. Jorginho and Rice played as two holding midfielders, with Havertz and Odegaard just ahead of them.
Arteta also used it in the FA Cup defeat by Liverpool the month before, and Jurgen Klopp praised how effective it was.
“The different set-up with Havertz and Odegaard more or less a double No10,” he said. “It was a 4-2-2-2 with wingers wide — a massive threat.”
With no Odegaard, Leandro Trossard could take on the Norwegian’s role. The Belgian has excelled as a false nine for Arsenal.
Back Nwaneri to shine
If Arteta is feeling bold, he could throw Ethan Nwaneri into the team.
The 17-year-old is highly rated by Arsenal, as shown by the fact they let Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira go this summer.
Nwaneri is essentially Odegaard’s understudy, and playing him as the right No8 would allow Havertz to stay up front.
It would be a big ask for Nwaneri to come into the team, given he is so young, though, and especially ahead of a brutal run of games.
He is talented on the ball, but he will find it hard to replicate what Odegaard does off it.
The 25-year-old leads Arsenal’s press and in doing so he has caused 180 turnovers since the start of last season, which is more than any other Premier League player.
