Arsenal have four replacements for Martin Odegaard as Mikel Arteta prepares for injury absence

Martin Odegaard has suffered a medial collateral ligament injury and has withdrawn from the Norwegian national side. As a result, he will not take part in games against Israel or New Zealand and will stay back with the Arsenal medical staff at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

The severity of the injury is not yet understood, and more assessments will need to take place. Given the impact nature of the injury and the fortunate avoidance of the anterior cruciate ligament being damaged, it is hoped that it will not be too long-term. However, with Arsenal’s games coming up, Arteta will need to find solutions.

Besides international breaks, Arsenal will be playing twice weekly all the way through until mid-December, perhaps later depending on their progression in the League Cup. There are a handful of players who could cover the role of Odegaard, and football.london takes a look at all four.

Eberechi Eze

The first is the most obvious and the most likely in Odegaard’s stead and that is Eberechi Eze. He moved into the attacking midfield role against West Ham when Odegaard left the field and should have scored, while also being involved in the first goal, providing the shot which led to Declan Rice’s goal.

Ethan Nwaneri

The next most natural fit in a more attacking sense is Ethan Nwaneri. The 18-year-old replaced Odegaard when he came off against both Leeds United and Nottingham Forest to great effect, particularly against Forest, and will be an option perhaps when Arteta knows his side are expected to dominate more of the ball in home ties, perhaps against Brighton in the League Cup.

Mikel Merino

A controversial choice for some despite the Spaniard’s returns and key interventions in big moments. The scorer of the equaliser at Newcastle, Mikel Merino might not be the most popular player to all which is no fault of his own, but instead more so the system and selections he has been chosen for. But Merino offers real quality to Arteta and can complete a midfield three comfortably.

Max Dowman

Lastly is the bravest choice, but not one without reason, and that is Max Dowman. Despite playing mainly on the right, the 15-year-old is seen in the long-term as a central player, and some feel the inheritor to Odegaard’s position in the future, so therefore it could be we finally see Dowman play from the bench in all likelihood, in this central position.