Arsenal
Odegaard sidelined by MCL injury after West Ham clash as Arsenal await scan results
Martin Ødegaard’s MCL injury in the 2–0 win over West Ham leaves Arsenal awaiting further assessment
Martin Ødegaard suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during Arsenal’s 2–0 victory over West Ham United, a setback that forced the club captain off early and prompted an official statement from the club. The injury followed a collision of knees in the match, adding to fitness concerns that have troubled Ødegaard this season.
Around this time last year Ødegaard sustained an ankle injury that contributed to a difficult period for Arsenal as injuries undermined their title challenge. This season, Mikel Arteta is already without Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Deadline Day addition Piero Hincapié, yet the side have maintained their momentum, helped by summer arrivals and tactical evolution under Arteta.
Ødegaard had also been managing a shoulder issue in recent weeks, and his forced withdrawal in Saturday’s win created an unwanted record: he became the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts. Arsenal confirmed the MCL diagnosis but have not provided a return timetable, saying that “further assessment” is needed to clarify the extent of the damage.
As a result of the injury he has withdrawn from the Norway squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Medical outlooks for MCL injuries vary by severity: a Grade 1 injury would be the best case and could allow a return in about three weeks; a Grade 2 injury would likely keep him out for more than a month; a Grade 3 injury could sideline him for up to ten weeks. Arsenal and their medical staff will determine the grade after scans and assessments.
For now, Arsenal will continue without their captain while they wait for more detailed medical information. The club’s cautious approach aims to establish a clear recovery plan before announcing any estimated return date.
Arsenal
The Ten Summer Signings Who Have Mattered Most Early in 2025/26
After a record £3.19 billion summer, these ten signings have reshaped Premier League starts. so far.
Premier League clubs combined to spend a record £3.19 billion during the 2025 summer window, and a number of arrivals have already influenced the opening months of the 2025/26 season.
Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony arrived from Bournemouth for £8 million and has become a central outlet in Scott Parker’s attack. The former Arsenal academy player has started both as part of a front two and out wide, and his four league goals currently lead Burnley’s scoring chart.
On Tyneside, the German forward has settled quickly. With Yoane Wissa nursing a knee injury, Woltemade has started up front and brought an immediate return of three league goals in four games, one of which included an extraordinary penalty. His unusual frame and aerial improvement have been noted by supporters.
West Ham’s recruitment has offered hope under Nuno Espírito Santo. El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed from Slavia Prague, has impressed as a one-on-one defender who delivers a dangerous cross from the left. He remains an up-and-down full back with clear potential.
Tijjani Reijnders produced an outstanding Premier League debut at Molineux and has since provided moments of quality, including the assist for Erling Haaland against Arsenal in September.
Martín Zubimendi was an early target for Mikel Arteta and has gradually displayed his class in the holding role. After a slow debut, he has shown his passing range and even contributed a memorable goal against Nottingham Forest.
Hugo Ekitiké has been arguably the most convincing of Liverpool’s summer recruits. The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward scored on his opening games against Bournemouth and Newcastle and has shown a willingness to drop in and combine, even if his league scoring has slowed in recent fixtures.
João Palhinha’s loan at Tottenham has been a robust addition. Thomas Frank leans on him heavily and the Portuguese midfielder leads Spurs with just over five combined tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes.
Sunderland’s Robin Roefs arrived from NEC Nijmegen, took the No.1 spot in preseason and has been a reliable shot-stopper. Only Dean Henderson has prevented more goals, and Roefs ranks fourth for success when attempting to claim the high ball.
Finally, Jack Grealish’s loan to Everton has begun well. He is joint-top of the assist charts and produced a last-gasp finish to end Crystal Palace’s 18-game unbeaten run before the international break.
Arsenal
Gyökeres Criticised After Quiet Display in Sweden’s 2–0 Loss to Switzerland
Viktor Gyökeres drew sharp criticism after a subdued 2-0 defeat by Switzerland and went without a shot.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres came in for heavy criticism after Sweden’s 2–0 defeat to Switzerland on Friday night. He started alongside Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, but neither forward managed to break down a compact Swiss defence.
Gyökeres was particularly ineffectual in attack, registering no shots on target and an expected goals total of just 0.08. Domestic outlets were blunt in their assessments after the final whistle.
Expressen were particularly critical and awarded him a 1/5 rating. They wrote: “Thundered away from deep—from minute one,” they wrote. “Viktor Gyökeres looked lively. Then he got tired. And heavy. The number of errors increased with it. And overall, it can only be said that Gyökeres was one of the absolute weakest players on the field.” Fotbollskanalen also expressed disappointment: “Sweden needed Gyökeres at the top of his game in the important World Cup qualifying match. But he didn’t get it in crucial situations.” Svenska Fans handed another 1/5 and added: “His form has been waning lately. I don’t really know what’s happened, but he doesn’t seem to really believe it right now. It feels so resigned and awkward.”
The reaction will sharpen focus on Gyökeres’s form with Arsenal. He has made a solid start to his Arsenal career, but has hardly terrorised Premier League defences. He has scored just three for the Gunners to date, those efforts coming in routine home wins over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
Friday’s display will raise questions about confidence and consistency at international level, and supporters will expect a response from Gyökeres as the season progresses. For now, the coverage in Sweden suggests he must recover his best form to answer critics and provide the cutting edge his national team required in the World Cup qualifying match.
Arsenal
Zubimendi: Arsenal’s Dressing Room Blamed Injuries for Title Shortcomings
Zubimendi: Arsenal blamed injuries for past title failures; summer signings aimed to add more depth.
Martín Zubimendi has set out the dressing room view on why Arsenal fell short in recent title races: injuries. The midfielder, who joined from Real Sociedad this summer, said team-mates made clear that the squad repeatedly unravelled when key players were sidelined.
Adding depth across the squad was a stated summer priority and Arsenal recruited heavily. Zubimendi arrived from Real Sociedad alongside Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga. The signings were intended to ensure the club could cope when injuries occurred.
“From what teammates have said to me, the problem was the injuries, that when someone got injured, the team came undone,” Zubimendi told The Guardian. “This year the club has invested a lot in having two players in every position.”
Zubimendi’s move to the Premier League came later than many expected. His arrival this summer followed a season in which he was a standout performer for Sociedad in 2024, and it came 12 months later than most anticipated. He had been close to joining Arne Slot’s Liverpool before withdrawing from talks, and Real Madrid also expressed interest, but it was Arsenal who ultimately secured his signature.
His decision was influenced by the timing of any proposal and by Arsenal’s project. “When any proposal comes, the first question has to be whether to stay at la Real,” he continued. “And it wasn’t the right moment [to go]. I stayed and it was a hard season but I learned a lot. I wanted to step forward, take that weight after others went.
“I had watched Arsenal and I liked everything I saw, in terms of passion, youth, the feeling you got watching them. And when Mikel Arteta called me… Well, if you’ve ever spoken to him you’ll know that he can be very convincing.
“He’s mad about football, crazy about having everything under control, trying to get something from every little detail. He’s very clear on everything and the proposal he had was the best for me.”
The messages from Zubimendi underline why Arsenal prioritised squad depth in the transfer window and why the club believes redundancy across positions will be key in the 2025/26 campaign.
