Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard has been nursing a shoulder injury all week and as a result, there has been speculation on whether he would be fit in time for the Liverpool encounter. The Norwegian was forced off in the first half against Leeds United after hurting his shoulder during a duel. Bukayo Saka also suffered an injury in the same match, but Ødegaard’s issue was less severe, putting him in contention for the game against Liverpool. Ahead of the encounter, the Norwegian’s selection for international duty would have prompted a positive outlook on his involvement.
Mikel Arteta confirmed in his pre match press conference that he had not trained all week, but the latest reports suggest he will make the squad and potentially even start against Liverpool later today.
Ødegaard travels with the squad
As picked up by Now Arsenal on X, Martin Ødegaard has travelled with the squad to Merseyside ahead of today’s encounter. This comes following doubts concerning his fitness ahead of the game. His inclusion in the travelling party suggests he could be in line to lead the Gunners out again, retaining his number ten role in the side.
Arsenal will be boosted by his potential involvement, especially when considering the number of players that are currently absent. Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka will be out for a while, while Ben White and Christian Nørgaard are also injury doubts. The latter has yet to feature in a single game this campaign.
Who should fill the number ten role?
Despite his inclusion in the travelling party, Martin Ødegaard will remain a doubt ahead of kick off. So with this in mind, who should play the number ten role if he is unable to feature from the start? Ethan Nwaneri was his like for like replacement against Leeds United, but the arrival of Eberechi Eze now opens up another possibility for Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard could and should, in my opinion, utilise Eze in his favoured position in the potential absence of Ødegaard, taking advantage of his unpredictability in the middle of the park.
That is my view, let me get yours in the comments Gooners.
Benjamin Kenneth
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If Ode hasn’t trained this week then surely Eze starts and Ode on bench if fit
Yes. I would like to think with the quality depth we appear to have, anyone, Captain or not, who did not train all week for injury, doesn’t start. We would unlikely have 100% from them, whilst at least 2 players warming the bench could give that 100%. That has to be the equation, now we are talking squad depth for the important occasion?
Although best position being 10, Ode and Eze are still very different types of players. Ode is the stronger progressive passer, Eze the stronger dribbler. Whilst Ethan lacks experience for the big games, he has a high ceiling in developing passing and dribbling, and finishing – could end up better at all three than both Ode and Eze, but not at the level right now.
I don’t expect any surprises. Nelli to the left, Maddy to the right, Eze at 10.
Why Nelli starts at Liverpool. Pace. Good record against them. Best LW option at coming back and doing good defensive thing. I would be shocked if Nelli doesn’t start.
Ode from two seasons ago yes, current odegard no
Hopefully he’s put on the bench ,if not fit .
Let’s see what Eze can do
If Odegaard isn’t fit enough to start and is on the bench, he could always get up at certain points in the game and wave his arms about being our cheer leader, he’s good at that. But he’ll need to be careful not to irritate that shoulder.🤣😂👍
I see. Back to being Deadly Derek in the end of the pier show, after flirting with being Mr Big.
…Him not playing removes him from taking those extra touches, getting mugged in possession & slowing down the game! His absence & Eze’s Inclusion will create more attack, unpredictability and confusion to Liverpool!