Martin Odegaard facing unfamiliar Arsenal role after double injury setback

Martin Odegaard is closing in on his long-awaited return to action after suffering an MCL injury in Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham back in early October

It's now been three-and-a-half years since Mikel Arteta appointed Martin Odegaard as his new Arsenal captain. But for arguably the first time ever since the latter joined the club from Real Madrid on a permanent transfer in August 2021, there is now genuine debate over whether he is a must-pick in the Spaniard's starting XI.

The 26-year-old maestro has been central to the Gunners' enthralling rebuild under Arteta but since the beginning of the season, Arsenal have had to adapt to losing Odegaard to shoulder and knee injury setbacks, respectively.

The playmaker missed four matches in September after picking up shoulder issues against Leeds and Nottingham Forest before damaging his MCL following a clash of knees with West Ham's Crysencio Summerville in October.

While the Norwegian skipper is now close to returning to action, it's no longer a given he will immediately slot straight back into Arteta's side, particularly on the back of Eberechi Eze's stunning hat-trick against Tottenham.

Eze is now hitting his stride in a central role and the England international provides Arsenal with some much-needed conviction around the edge of the penalty box.

He might not be able to control and dictate the tempo of matches like technical master Odegaard but he does bring X-factor to the party and certainly isn't afraid to let fly with either foot.

After his brilliant North London Derby treble, it seems almost unfathomable that Eze could be dropped because Arteta is a manager that loves to field players when their confidence is sky-high.

Back in September, Mikel Merino was given the nod to start against Manchester City over Eze off the back of four goals in two international matches for Spain, including a hat-trick against Turkey.

Eze is in sparkling form having also recently netted a beauty for the Three Lions in their 2-0 World Cup qualification victory over Serbia at Wembley.

While he can also operate from the left flank, it was always clear that Arteta signed him to play in a central role and it appears unlikely that both he and Odegaard will start together (they did against West Ham) regularly as Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are virtually undroppable figures in midfield.

Odegaard needs minutes to rebuild his fitness gradually and Arsenal medical staff will be reluctant to rush his return and thrust him straight back into action, anyway. A series of cameos from the bench could be the perfect way to dress him back into the side.

But even when he's back up to speed, Odegaard has a real fight on his hands to reclaim a starting spot because Eze offers something different and is evidently a signing that has raised the overall level of the team.

Prior to Sunday's brutal demolition of Tottenham, he'd only scored twice for Arsenal, once against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup before he struck a clever winner against former employers Crystal Palace.

Now he's up to five goals in all competitions and that is just one shy of equalling Odegaard's tally from the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign when the Arsenal captain made 45 appearances.

Odegaard's stats the previous season (23-24) made for impressive viewing. He scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions and those are the kind of levels he will need to aspire to if he's to nail down a starting berth again because Eze is chomping at the bit and has a point to prove ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Arteta will stress that he needs both stars firing if Arsenal are to get over the line this season and with Kai Havertz also on the comeback trail - there is a chance he could be utilised in midfield behind marquee striker Viktor Gyokeres - competition for places has never been more competitive at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners captain must rise to the challenge and embrace the fact his place in the starting XI is now under threat. If he does just that, his return to action could just drive Arsenal to new heights following their remarkable start to the campaign - which has already been executed without several key players.