Arsenal may have emerged from Lisbon victorious on Tuesday night in the Champions League, but they didn’t return to North London unscathed on the injury front.
The Gunners snatched a win in the dying embers at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, thanks to a 91st-minute winner from Kai Havertz. The German cooly slotted beyond Rui Silva after being found by a neat, clipped pass from Gabriel Martinelli, securing a one-goal lead ahead of next week’s second leg at the Emirates.
Attentions now turn back towards the Premier League title race for Mikel Arteta’s men, with Bournemouth set to make the trip to N5 on Saturday afternoon. The visit of the Cherries is already likely to be a difficult test for Arsenal, although it may be made significantly more challenging if captain Martin Odegaard is ruled out through injury.
Martin Odegaard injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Odegaard has endured a frustrating campaign marred by injury issues. The Norwegian has managed just over 1,000 league minutes, sustaining four separate injuries which have ruled him out for certain periods of time.
Returning with an encouraging display against Southampton in the FA Cup after the international break, Odegaard then started in Lisbon. While he broke a Champions League 2025/26 record in the quarter-final first leg clash, he was also hooked by Arteta in the 70th minute, shortly after going down with a suspected fitness issue.
There were minimal fears initially that the 27-year-old had suffered a setback that would keep him out of Saturday’s game against Bournemouth. However, a culmination of events since has raised alarm bells amongst Arsenal fans.
Firstly, Odegaard wasn’t spotted in Arsenal’s training session at London Colney on Thursday morning, which was open to the media.
Secondly, and more concerningly, Norway manager Stale Solbakken publicly revealed that the playmaker had sustained an injury.
“A small setback,” Solbakken told Eirik Nesset Hjelvik.
“I think he’ll be back on the pitch before long.”
Ståle Solbakken (Norway manager) on Ødegaard’s injury: “A small setback. I think he’ll be back on the pitch before long.” ❌🇳🇴 [@EirikNH] pic.twitter.com/cRVoMGWZJ5
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 9, 2026
It remains to be seen whether this means Odegaard will miss the game against Bournemouth, although his lack of involvement in training indicates that it’s not likely. Arteta’s press conference on Friday will likely provide more clarity.
Martin Odegaard’s fitness is essential to the rest of Arsenal’s season
While Odegaard has struggled to rediscover his best form since sustaining a serious ankle injury last season, the Gunners still look significantly worse without him. Arsenal need their captain to dominate possession and territory, with his ball progression essential to their ability to control matches.
Last season, Odegaard led the Premier League for progressive passes per 90 minutes (of players with at least five 90s), despite not being at his best. Even if he cannot rediscover his productivity in the final third, his passing from deep and influence on the Gunners’ build-up is unparalleled.
| Premier League Progressive Passes per 90 Leaders 2025/26 (minimum five 90s played) | ||
| 1 | Martin Odegaard | 9.72 |
| 2 | Kevin De Bruyne | 9.46 |
| 3 | Adam Wharton | 8.84 |
| 4 | Bruno Fernandes | 8.69 |
| 5 | Trent Alexander-Arnold | 8.24 |
| 6 | James Maddison | 8.19 |
While Arsenal can make do and mend with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz in this role, neither of these players can replicate Odegaard’s passing quality.
Their success this season is arguably predicated on the skipper’s availability.
