Arsenal's Martin Odegaard Sustains Knee Injury in Win Over West Ham

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed significant concern over injuries to captain Martin Odegaard and key midfielder Declan Rice following their 2-0 victory against West Ham. Odegaard suffered a knee-to-knee collision that forced him off before half-time, marking the third consecutive Premier League home game he has been substituted early due to injury, with Arteta noting the situation was "not positive" and that Odegaard was wearing a knee brace. Rice was also substituted late in the game due to back pain, an unusual issue for the player, and his condition remains under assessment. Despite these setbacks, Arteta praised the team's dominant performance and resilience, highlighting recent improvements and the importance of maintaining momentum going into the international break. The injuries have cast a shadow on the win, especially given Odegaard's pivotal role in the team's attacking play and captaincy. Arsenal now face uncertainty regarding the fitness of both players as they prepare for upcoming challenging fixtures.