Arsenal’s season has been largely defined by control, structure and attacking cohesionMartin Odegaard is again playing a central role in that identity – at least when available.
Before his recent injury setbacks, the Norwegian was once again one of the Premier League’s most productive midfielders. In the first half of the campaign, he provided goals and assists at a steady rate, while remaining Arsenal’s main creative focal point.
Data from FBref and WhoScored shows he was averaging more than 2 key passes per game, as well as having strong numbers for progressive passes and final third involvement.
He also remained heavily involved in Arsenal’s vital structure. Odegaard was ranked among the team’s leaders for pressing in advanced areas, often creating situations without the ball. His mix of creativity and work rate has made him difficult to replace, even in a squad with increasing depth.
However, that influence has faded in recent months.
Questions are being raised regarding fitness
Norwegian outlet VG There are now growing concerns over Martin Edgard’s physical condition, with the midfielder struggling with a knee problem that has limited his participation throughout 2026, the report adds. He missed 8 games between October and November 2025. He has another problem with his knee.
He has only featured in around a third of Arsenal’s minutes this calendar year. As a result, he has been reduced to watching matches from the bench recently, including the latest Premier League match.
| premier league 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
| appearances | 21 |
| started | 13 |
| minutes per game | 54 |
| total minutes played | 1078 |
| Target | 1 |
The situation has now become so serious that his international prospects may be affected. Norway manager Stel Solbakken is ready to name his squad for the upcoming friendlies, but even if Odegaard is included, he is not expected to play a major role.
VG quotes pundit Vegard Olstad, who believes the tone around the injury may need to change: “We’ve probably been a bit naive and said it’s good that key players get rest. Now it’s time to start worrying.”
Managing risk before summer
There is still some caution from other voices in Norway. tv 2 Commentator Simen Stamsø Møller emphasizes that it is too early for alarm, but believes the timeline is important.
“If the situation remains the same in May then it is a matter of concern,” He said.
For now, the hope is that Norway will avoid taking risks. Maintaining good relations with Arsenal is also part of that thinking, especially as the club enters a crucial stage of the season.
Odegaard himself has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. Writing in Arsenal’s match-day programme, he admitted: “It’s been tough for me because of my recent knee injury, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back into top form.”
Mikel Arteta has not ruled him out of upcoming fixtures, including the League Cup final at Wembley. Nevertheless, the manager made it clear that availability would depend on how the player responds in training.
what happens next
For Arsenal, it is less about immediate panic and more about timing.
When fit, Martin Odegaard remains one of the team’s most important players. However, his form has started to be disrupted by repeated absences at a crucial stage of the season.
With the Premier League underway and key fixtures ahead, Arsenal will need to carefully balance recovery and reintegration. Plus, Norway are keeping a close eye, knowing their captain could be heading into the summer with limited match acuity.
If the current pattern continues into May, what is now a manageable issue could become a much bigger concern for both club and country.
🇧🇷Mohammed Kone (Palmeiras) | Arsenal continue interest in €100m-clause defender they failed to sign in 2023https://t.co/i2ddwF26W9 #afc
– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 March 2026
#time #worried #fitness #Arsenals #players #starting #concern
