LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal holds his shoulder after a challenge during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on September 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Martin Odeegard came off after just 18 minutes
Arsenal captain was forced off against following what appeared to be a recurrence of his shoulder injury. Odegaard, 26, looked to jar his shoulder after tackle on inadvertently brought the Norwegian midfielder down.
Odegaard was making his first start for since August 23, when he injured his shoulder in the first half of at home to . The Gunners skipper managed 20 minutes the following week at , as their title chances .
Odegaard then played 45 minutes of Norway's 1-0 victory in a friendly with Finland before playing the full game against Moldova. The 26-year-old starred as Norway thrashed their opponents 11-1, with Odegaard scoring one of the goals and assisting two.
had no hesitation starting Odegaard against Forest in Saturday's early kick-off. But the former wonderkid only lasted 18 minutes and he's now a serious doubt for their huge games against and next week.
Timber and Gibbs-White went sliding in for the ball, which Odegaard was also looking to win. Although Timber came away with it, Odegaard went flying and landed awkwardly on his right shoulder, immediately yelping in pain.
After receiving treatment, Odegaard soldiered on for 10 minutes before having to come off. Ethan Nwaneri was brought on to replace him, tasked with unlocking Forest's stubborn defence under newly-appointed manager .
But it was another midfielder who broke the deadlock. Martin Zubimendi showed why Arsenal paid £55.8million for him, as he unleashed a thunderous strike on the volley from the edge of the penalty area that flew past Matz Sels via a slight deflection.
Straight after the goal, Forest were forced into making a change of their own. Murillo, who'd been injured in the collision that led to the corner, was replaced by deadline-day signing Nicolo Savona.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal holds his shoulder after a challenge during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on September 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Martin Odeegard was in serious pain
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Image:
Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Before kick-off, Arteta revealed the first bit of bad news on the injury front for Arsenal. Gunners defender was omitted from the matchday squad, still feeling the effects of rolling his ankle in the warm-up against Liverpool.
Having pulled out of the squad, 24-year-old Saliba was expected to be out for a few weeks. But there was surprise when Arteta confirmed that the French centre-back had returned to training this week.
"He trained yesterday, but at the end of the session he wasn't fully ready to start the game," the Arsenal boss told .
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