Out for 66 days in total, Arsenal went to some extraordinary lengths to keep the true extent of Martin Odegaard’s injury under wraps.
The Gunners captain has only just returned from a lengthy ankle injury he sustained in September, starting against Chelsea in the Premier League after a substitute appearance against Inter Milan in Europe.
It looked like bad news from the off for Odegaard, who was pictured with crutches and a protective boot limping into a private jet shortly after his September injury.
Prone to employing some rather unusual off-field tactics, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta did it again with Odegaard, hinting that he could play next time out against Tottenham despite only just receiving the injury.
Now, though, The Athletic has revealed the club’s efforts to keep opponents guessing went even further.
The outlet claims that a ball was placed in front of the Norwegian’s swollen ankle during their 2024/25 team photo to hide the damage.
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They also note that the club captain stayed present with the team and travelled to matches, something that’s usually reserved for players close to returning.
However, with it clear how serious things were, Arteta confirmed that the injury was ‘significant’ and Odegaard later teased fans with his return in October showing just how lengthy his recovery was.
If all of this seems a little excessive, it’s just a demonstration of how important Odegaard is for the north London club.
In 2024, with two-and-a-half months on the sidelines, he still ranks above huge names including Cole Palmer and Luis Diaz for chances created in the Premier League with 58.
On his first start since the ailment Odegaard would record an assist for Gabriel Martenelli’s opener against Chelsea, leaving his manager stunned.
“I don’t know any other player in the league that is capable of doing that after six weeks out,” Arteta said after the 1-1 draw. “He had a day-and-a-half, a training and a half.
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“Just physically and mentally to be connected the way he was with the team is unbelievable.”
Further emphasising the point, Arsenal Invincibles hero and talkSPORT host Ray Parlour compared the 25-year-old to his former teammate Dennis Bergkamp.
Asked what was missing after a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, he said: “If you look at the midfield area, you’ve got [Thomas] Partey, Declan Rice when he’s playing, [Mikel] Merino’s come into the side as well, very similar players, really. All very good players, don’t get me wrong.
“But if Odegaard’s in there, he’s that player who takes the ball in tight little situations. He sees a pass, he creates chances.
“When I watched the Newcastle game, they needed that little bit of creativity because Newcastle were very comfortable sitting in front of the defence. The midfield for Newcastle had done a great job, by the way.
“He just can bring something else from the team, a little bit different to the other players they’ve got.
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“He’s a big miss, but I don’t know how fit he is and if he’s recovered. If he’s 80 per cent, play him for 70 minutes, I would.
“I wouldn’t say he [Odegaard] is as good as Bergkamp, but he’s very similar in the way he can see vision and he will create chances.
“What I’m saying is he can get into little areas, he’s a very clever player. You watch his vision when he puts balls through. He knows where the runs are going to come from. Against Newcastle, I didn’t see that. I didn’t see the creativity from Arsenal’s midfield.
“That’s what he can bring to the team if he does come back on the weekend.”
