Arsenal Captain Odegaard, Midfielder Rice Sidelined by Injuries Against West Ham

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered a knee injury during the first half of a 2-0 victory over West Ham, marking his third consecutive Premier League home match being substituted before halftime due to injury. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern about the seriousness of Odegaard's injury, noting the player was wearing a knee brace and was 'not positive' about his condition. Odegaard has had a difficult season with multiple injuries, including two shoulder issues earlier on. Declan Rice also sustained a back injury during the match and requested to be substituted, raising doubts about his availability for England's upcoming international fixtures. Arteta described Rice's back pain as unusual for the midfielder and emphasized the need for further assessment of both players. The injuries to these key Arsenal players present challenges for the team moving forward, especially with international commitments approaching.