The Injury that Sidelined Arsenal's Captain

Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway’s captain, has recently been absent from the team's fixtures due to health concerns stemming from a training incident.

Initially, Odegaard missed games against Newcastle and Sevilla owing to concussion fears. This situation arose after he sustained a blow to the face from a ball during a training session.

The severity of Odegaard's condition became apparent when he did not join the Norwegian national team, opting instead to stay in London for medical treatment. The nature of his injury is twofold: besides the concussion, Odegaard is also dealing with a hip injury that has previously troubled him. Adherence to concussion protocols, which mandate a minimum six-day rest period and freedom from symptoms before returning to play, has been a key factor in his absence.

Odegaard's dual ailments meant he could not participate in Arsenal's recent victories over Sevilla and Burnley. Furthermore, his recovery schedule will prevent him from playing in Norway's upcoming matches against the Faroe Islands and Scotland. However, this break is expected to aid in his recovery, potentially enabling his return to Arsenal following the international fixtures.

In a related development, Arsenal faces another concern with forward Gabriel Jesus. Brazil's national team has requested a fitness examination for Jesus, who has been sidelined from Arsenal play since late October due to a hamstring injury. Compliance with this request necessitates Jesus reporting for an evaluation, despite his ongoing recovery.