Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that his title-chasing team has had to become “different” in light of captain Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury, which has sidelined him for the last six matches. Odegaard suffered the injury while playing for Norway last month, prompting Arteta to alter his tactical plans.
Speaking on Friday, Arteta praised Odegaard’s determination to return, stating the midfielder is “working so hard” towards recovery, although he could not provide a timeline for his return to action.
In Odegaard’s absence, Leandro Trossard has stepped in to fill the void during Premier League matches and in the recent Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Additionally, the Gunners have shifted from their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kai Havertz partnering Trossard in a two-man strike force.
Arsenal’s adaptability has been crucial, keeping them among the two unbeaten teams in the Premier League and currently sitting in third place, just one point behind leaders Liverpool.
“We had to be different,” Arteta remarked ahead of Saturday’s clash with winless Southampton.
“The impact Martin has in everything that we do, it was too big to try to replicate it with one player. We’ve tried to do it in a different way, adapting a few things, using players’ qualities, players that can play in different positions and with the right chemistry around them.”
Arteta noted that while it took a game or two for the adjustments to take effect, the team eventually found a way to keep progressing despite Odegaard’s absence. “We still miss him,” he added. “We don’t have Martin, there are all the things that we cannot do. But as well we have a big threat in other areas and we have to make the most of them.”