Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta painted a concerning picture about midfield pair Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice following Saturday’s Premier League win over West Ham United.
Ødegaard, who has missed game time already this season because of a repeat freak shoulder injury, had to be withdrawn in the first half of a Premier League game for third time so far in 2025–26. The club has since confirmed medial collateral ligament damage, leading him to withdraw from the Norway squad for upcoming internationals in order to continue being treated by club staff.
The skipper has inadvertently achieved an unwanted Premier League first as a result, becoming the only player in the competition’s history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive appearances, per .
Rice scored the game’s opening goal, before Bukayo Saka made the points safe on a landmark day for the winger, but the midfielder wound up coming off 11 minutes from the end in discomfort. Both players, Arteta explained afterwards, will require further assessment to fully understand their respective issues.
