Martin Odegaard said he is nursing a knee problem after limping out of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final last week, then missing the defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend.
The 27-year-old midfielder needed on-field treatment in the second half in Lisbon before being replaced by Kai Havertz, and he said the knock he picked up there was the reason he sat out the league game. “I had to go off during the second half of that game in Portugal last week, feeling my knee, which is why I missed the game at the weekend,” Odegaard said on Friday. “I caught it a little bit against Sporting, but hopefully it shouldn’t be too bad. I’m desperate to get back as soon as possible because this is the crucial period of the season, in the Premier League and Champions League.”
Arsenal still carry a 1-0 lead into the second leg after winning at the José Alvalade Stadium, and Odegaard said that result leaves them in a strong position in the tie. He added that Saturday’s home loss to Bournemouth made the quick turnaround in Europe even more important for a squad trying to reset fast. “Of course, Saturday’s result here against Bournemouth was massively disappointing for everyone, so it’s good that this game has come around so quickly to give us the opportunity to respond,” he said.
The tension for Arsenal is simple: they have little room for another setback, and they need their captain available as the season reaches its sharpest point. Mikel Arteta gave no update on Odegaard on Friday afternoon at the Sobha Realty Centre, leaving the midfielder’s recovery to be judged by how quickly he returns to training and whether he is fit to help in a tie Arsenal believe could make history.
“We have the opportunity to make history by reaching back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in our history, so let’s make it happen,” Odegaard said. For now, Arsenal’s best clue is his own assessment that the problem may not be serious. The next step that matters is whether he is ready in time to play a role when the Champions League tie resumes tonight.