Martin Odegaard is ‘carrying a little thing that has not been very comfortable’ claims Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as his absence from the squad provokes injury worries for Gunners

• Martin Odegaard was absent from the starting XI against Sheffield United 
• The captain has been playing with an injury in recent clashes for the Gunners
• Injury woes mounting for Arsenal as Gabriel Jesus revealed to be ‘out for weeks’ 

Mikel Arteta has revealed that captain Martin Odegaard is ‘carrying a little thing that has not been comfortable’ after the Nordic midfielder was absent from the starting XI on Saturday. 

Odegaard was among many other significant changes to the Arsenal starting lineup for their Sheffield United clash.

Despite a recent victory over Sevilla in the Champions League, Arsenal are battling injury woes as Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey are both on the sidelines. Jesus suffered a muscle injury, and Arteta anticipates his absence for a few weeks. 

Arteta revealed that the captain was benched after suffering a ‘little thing that was uncomfortable’ over the last few games, as well as managing his minutes. 

The Arsenal boss explained the reason for not including Odegaard in the team, revealing that: ‘We looked at the all the minutes everyone has played over the last few weeks and some of them have played an enormous amount of minutes. 

Mikel Arteta has revealed that captain Martin Odegaard is ‘carrying a little thing that has not been comfortable’ after the Nordic midfielder was absent from the starting XI on Saturday

Arteta said it was the ‘right day’ to give other players ‘with enormous quality’ a chance

Eddie Nketiah replaced injured Gabriel Jesus up front and impressed with a hat-trick

Emile Smith Rowe stepped up to fill in for the absent captain and provided Nketiah with an assist 

‘Martin has as well been carrying a little thing that wasn’t very comfortable in the games.

‘We have players with enormous quality and we have to trust them, and we believe it was the right day to do so.’ He added. 

In addition to Odegaard dropping to the bench, several other fringe players were included in the starting XI. 

Eddie Nketiah replaced Brazilian number 9, Jesus, while Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes were benched in favour of Emile Smith Rowe and Jakub Kiwior. Kai Havertz was also reintroduced into the fold in place of Jorginho, with £105million man Declan Rice as holding midfielder. 

Odegaard, who has been struggling recently, appears to have been rested. Arteta mentioned the need to improve Odegaard’s performance and the team’s overall form. 

Gabriel, who had a challenging game against Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, is likely being rested, providing an opportunity for Jakub Kiwior to prove himself in the Arsenal backline.

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