Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered another injury setback during Saturday’s 2–0 win over West Ham, setting an unwanted Premier League record after being substituted before half-time for the third consecutive start.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard made unwanted history in his side’s 2–0 victory over West Ham on Saturday, becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts.
The 26-year-old Norwegian was forced off after 30 minutes following a “knee-to-knee” collision with West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville, adding to an already frustrating start to his season. Odegaard had previously been withdrawn early in matches against Leeds and Nottingham Forest due to a recurring shoulder injury.
“I just spoke to him,” said manager Mikel Arteta. “He’s not positive about it. He’s got a brace on. We’ll have to wait and see from the doctors, but we haven’t been very lucky with that either.”
Arteta, who described Odegaard as a player that gives Arsenal “a completely different dimension,” emphasized the team’s improved squad depth as a key positive. The Gunners’ £250m summer spending allowed Arteta to replace Odegaard with £60m signing Martin Zubimendi, whose pass to Eberechi Eze helped create Declan Rice’s opener.
Despite also losing Rice to a back injury, Arsenal comfortably sealed victory through Bukayo Saka and Rice, demonstrating their resilience amid mounting injury challenges.
Arteta added, “It’s not ideal… but we can bring somebody else in and still be very, very efficient.”