Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard might not be fit to start against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspurare watching the build-up to Sunday’s North London derby vs Arsenal with interest, as the uncertainty surrounding Martin Odegaard’s injury is shaping the narrative around their rivals. At present, the Arsenal captain is dealing with a knee problem that has disrupted his season so far.
Although he began the campaign in frustration due to a pair of shoulder issues, he briefly rediscovered his spark with a sharp Champions League display against Olympiacos. However, his momentum faded almost immediately when he picked up a knee injury in the following match against West Ham, ruling him out for seven fixtures across all competitions.
Meanwhile, the league table adds another layer to the tension. Arsenal’s narrow advantage looks fragile ahead of the weekend, as they expect the title race to tighten before the derby kicks off. In addition, Mikel Arteta is awaiting updates on several attacking players, affecting the rhythm of his preparations, particularly with Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke facing late fitness assessments, while Odegaard continues to push for a steady return.
Furthermore, his brief appearance for Norway during the international break showed small signs of progress, and TV2 reported that he mentioned feeling steady improvement, even if the Italy fixture came too early for him. In addition, Arteta is dealing with another concern as Gabriel recovers from a thigh issue after Brazil sent him home due to the injury, leaving the manager hoping for some late positive news before facing Spurs.
“It’s moving forward. The match today came a little too early… But it’s starting to look better, so hopefully I’ll be back soon.”
How has Martin Odegaard performed against Spurs historically?
Arsenal head into this derby under clear pressure, with injuries continuing to dictate their options. The absence of Ødegaard remains central to that problem, as he is still sidelined with a knee issue that has persisted since early October.
Moreover, his unavailability will push Mikel Arteta to rely on alternative sources of creativity, stretching a frontline already missing Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. Although the Gunners have managed to find ways to win without Odegaard, they continue to lose some of the rhythm and flow that define their passing game.
Meanwhile, Tottenham arrive with fewer injury concerns, and their midfield may sense an opening as they look to press high and exploit the reduced pressure on Arsenal’s right side. Even so, derbies come with their own chaos, and this fixture often swings in unexpected directions. Arsenal, however, will feel the absence of their captain more than usual, especially given that he has scored two goals and provided one assist in his eight Premier League appearances against Spurs.
At the same time, Tottenham remain active in the transfer market, though reports suggest they may once again miss out on Ademola Lookman.