![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/cdn.sportwitness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Martin-Odegaard.jpg\")
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Arsenal\u2019s season has largely been defined by control, structure and attacking cohesionwith Martin \u00d8degaard again playing a central role in that identity \u2013 at least when available.<\/strong><\/p>\n Before his recent injury setbacks, the Norwegian was once again one of the Premier League\u2019s most productive midfielders. Across the first half of the campaign, he contributed goals and assists at a steady rate, while remaining Arsenal\u2019s main creative hub.<\/p>\n Data from FBref and WhoScored show he was averaging over 2 key passes per game, alongside strong numbers for progressive passes and final third involvement.<\/p>\n He also remained heavily involved in Arsenal\u2019s pressing structure. \u00d8degaard ranked among the team\u2019s leaders for pressures in advanced areas, often setting the tone without the ball. That mix of creativity and work rate has made him difficult to replace, even in a squad with growing depth.<\/p>\n However, that influence has faded in recent months.<\/p>\n Norwegian outlet VG<\/strong> report that concerns are now growing around Martin \u00d8degaard\u2019s physical condition, with the midfielder struggling through a knee issue that has limited his involvement throughout 2026. He missed 8 games \u2013 between October and November 2025 \u2013 with another problem in his knee<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He has featured in only around a third of Arsenal\u2019s minutes this calendar year. As a result, he has recently been reduced to watching matches from the bench, including the latest Premier League fixture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The situation is now serious enough to affect his international prospects. Norway manager St\u00e5le Solbakken is set to name his squad for upcoming friendlies, but \u00d8degaard is not expected to play a major role \u2013 if he is included at all.<\/p>\n VG quote pundit Vegard Aulstad, who believes the tone around the injury may need to change: \u201cWe have probably been a bit naive and said it\u2019s good that the key players get rest. Now it\u2019s time to start being concerned.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n There is still some caution from other voices in Norway. TV 2<\/strong> commentator Simen Stams\u00f8 M\u00f8ller insists it is too early for alarm, but admits the timeline is key.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the situation is still like this in May, then there is reason to worry,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n For now, the expectation is that Norway will avoid taking risks. Maintaining a good relationship with Arsenal is also part of that thinking, especially with the club entering a crucial phase of the season.<\/p>\n \u00d8degaard himself has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. Writing in Arsenal\u2019s match-day programme, he admitted: \u201cIt has been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I am working as hard as I can to get back to top form.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Mikel Arteta has not ruled him out of upcoming fixtures, including the League Cup final at Wembley. Still, the manager made it clear that availability will depend on how the player responds in training.<\/p>\n For Arsenal, this is less about immediate panic and more about timing.<\/p>\n Martin \u00d8degaard remains one of the team\u2019s most important players when fit. However, repeated absences are starting to disrupt his rhythm at a key stage of the season.<\/p>\n With the Premier League run-in underway and major fixtures ahead, Arsenal will need to carefully balance recovery and reintegration. At the same time, Norway are watching closely, knowing their captain may arrive at the summer with limited match sharpness.<\/p>\n If the current pattern continues into May, what is now a manageable issue could quickly become a much bigger concern \u2013 for both club and country.<\/p>\n 🇧🇷 Mohamed Kon\u00e9 (Palmeiras) | Arsenal interest continues in \u20ac100m-clause defender they failed to sign in 2023https:\/\/t.co\/i2ddwF26W9 #afc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \n <\/div>\nFitness issues starting to raise questions<\/h2>\n
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\n \nPremier League 2025\/26<\/th>\n \n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Appearances<\/td>\n 21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Started<\/td>\n 13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Minutes per game<\/td>\n 54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Total minutes played<\/td>\n 1078<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Goals<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Managing risk ahead of the summer<\/h2>\n
![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/cdn.sportwitness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Martin-Odegaard2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat happens next<\/h2>\n
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