Advantage Liverpool? Arsenal handed major injury concern before Anfield trip
Advantage Liverpool? Arsenal handed major injury concern before Anfield trip
Arsenal have been handed a significant injury concern ahead of next weekend's Premier League clash with Liverpool, as Martin Odegaard was forced off in the first half of Saturday's clash with Leeds United.
The Gunners captain unsurprisingly started on the right-hand side of the midfield trident at the Emirates Stadium, joining forces with Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in Mikel Arteta's engine room.
However, Odegaard appeared to hurt his shoulder after suffering a heavy fall in the first half, which led to Ethan Nwaneri getting stripped and ready, but the Norwegian sought to carry on for a little while longer.
Arteta decided to take no risks with his skipper's fitness, though, and he brought Odegaard off for Nwaneri in the 38th minute, much to the Scandinavian's dismay.
Odegaard briefly engaged in conversation with Arteta and the medical team before heading down the tunnel for further assessment, and he has naturally emerged as a concern for next Sunday's trip to Anfield.
Arteta has Nwaneri and 15-year-old Max Dowman - who made the bench for the visit of Leeds - as viable alternatives, though, while Eberechi Eze could potentially be in line for a first start in that midfield role following his arrival from Crystal Palace.
The 27-year-old was unveiled to Arsenal fans prior to kickoff on Saturday, where Arteta's men were 1-0 up thanks to a Jurrien Timber goal from a Declan Rice corner at the time of Odegaard's change.