Journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided a fitness update on one Arsenal player ahead of their clash with Bayern Munich.
Martin Odegaard could not complete ninety minutes against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta rarely substitutes the Arsenal captain off, especially when the result of a match is yet to be settled. However, with 79 minutes on the clock at the Emirates Stadium, and the scores level at 0-0, Odegaard was withdrawn from the action to be replace by Emile Smith Rowe.
Arteta’s changes in that match certainly did not work in his favour. Not long after Odegaard’s exit, the Gunners were hit by a quick-fire double as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins both grabbed a goal each for the visitors.
This 2-0 loss saw the North London club surrender control in the Premier League title race. Pundit Paul Merson is now convinced that Arsenal stand no chance of being crowned champions. In any case, the Gunners are now relying on Manchester City to drop points in the run-in.
Why Mikel Arteta took off Martin Odegaard in Arsenal v Aston Villa
After the match, Arteta explained away the substitution of Odegaard, stating that the skipper had “a little issue.”
This news will have concerned plenty of Arsenal fans. The Norwegian playmaker is a crucial figure in this Arsenal team. Whilst his teammates around him struggled to impress, Odegaard dazzled in the first half against Aston Villa.
The former Real Madrid man has been in sensational form all season. Not only is he a creative hub, and a goal threat, but he is also the team’s first line of defence. The 25-year-old is responsible for leading and triggering the press. He runs tirelessly in every game, harrying opponents relentlessly, in an effort to win the ball back high up the pitch. It is due to his determination and work-rate that Odegaard has been described as a “perfect” Arsenal captain.
If Arsenal are to stand any chance of landing silverware this season, they they will need the midfielder fit and firing on all cylinders.
Will Martin Odegaard be fit to face Bayern Munich?
They will especially need him on Wednesday night when Arsenal are set to travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The score in the tie is currently poised at 2-2 on aggregate after the first leg, meaning that the Gunners must win at the Allianz Arena if they are to progress to the semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competition.
Fortunately, it seems Odegaard will be fit to face the German giants. According to Fabrizio Romano, reporting on X, “Martin Ødegaard, training with Arsenal squad today ahead of Bayern game. He looks fine and ready after small issue on Sunday.”
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