Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was forced to leave the pitch for the third time this season after sustaining a knee injury during the match against West Ham. The Norwegian has been plagued with multiple issues since the start of the new campaign, including a shoulder injury in August that caused him to miss a game. He was also substituted just 18 minutes into the home win over Nottingham Forest in September due to the same problem.
Despite attempting to play on after receiving treatment for his knee during the West Ham match, he eventually had to be replaced by Martin Zubimendi. However, Arsenal received some good news before kick-off as Gabriel Magalhaes passed a late fitness test and was able to start the match. Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke were all absent from the game.
Arsenal went into the weekend knowing a victory over their London rivals would see them temporarily overtake Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. In his programme notes ahead of the game, Odegaard emphasised the importance of every point, stating: “Today is all about the Premier League. Every game in this league is so difficult, and every point is crucial over the season. You have to go into every game thinking that way.
“Obviously West Ham United have a new manager for this game, and you never know what that’s going to look like and what that’s going to bring, so let’s be ready.
“We know West Ham are a good team and have got results here in recent years, and that’s something we have in mind and we want to put things right today. We have to make sure we are on it today, to keep the momentum going and keep taking points. That’s key now. It’s going to be another good battle and hopefully we can get another win.”
