Ødegaard's Knee Knack Leaves Arsenal Short-Handed: Saka and Eze to the Rescue?

Ever had that moment where your team's talisman pulls up lame just as you're peaking? Arsenal fans know the feeling all too well with Martin Ødegaard. The skipper's been the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta's revolution, but injuries have turned him into more of a spectator this season. And now, with the Gunners top of the pile, his latest setback couldn't come at a worse time.

Captain's Latest Limpy Drama

Ødegaard soldiered through the second half against Brentford last week, subbing in for a tiring Eberechi Eze. But by the end, he was hobbling like he'd just run a marathon in clogs. "Kicked into a player trying to clear, overstretched the leg, pinched the knee," he shrugged post-match. Optimistic as ever, but no dice – he sat out the FA Cup romp over Wigan Athletic (a crisp 4-0 win) and Arteta confirmed he's sidelined for Wednesday's trip to Wolves.

That's a biggie. Arsenal could stretch their lead to seven points at Molineux, but without their Nordic maestro. Arteta's fingers are crossed for a return in the north London derby against Spurs on Sunday. Fingers crossed indeed, mate – that knee's been dodgy all campaign.

Ødegaard's stock has dipped a tad. Remember his 15-goal haul in 2022-23, most by a mid since the Prem kicked off? Or 22 contributions total? Blimey. This term's been quieter, with injuries exposing his lack of grunt in transitions and those pesky delays near goal. Arsenal's evolved, and whispers suggest they might need to push past him for that final title lunge.

Filling the Void: Saka Central or Eze Redux?

Arteta's options are thin. Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are also crocked, though Havertz might sneak back for Spurs. Teen sensation Ethan Nwaneri? Loaned to Marseille in January – gutting. So, who steps up against Wolves?

Eze got the nod vs Brentford but was hooked at half-time after a flat 45. The £67.5m summer steal from Palace (sorry, Spurs fans) dazzled early: two assists in his first three games, a winner at his old stomping ground, then a hattrick in that 4-1 derby demolition in November. Dreamland, right?

Since? Zilch. No goals, no assists in three months. Dropped down the pecking order, benched for four straight league games over Christmas. As Steve Pearson at TEAMtalk notes, it's a proper fall from grace. Yet, Football Insider journo Pete O’Rourke reckons Arsenal aren't panicking. Arteta's got "big plans" for the 27-year-old, chalking it up to bedding in. Eze himself fancies a key role next term.

Enter Bukayo Saka. The skipper-for-the-night shone centrally in the Wigan win. Why not park him there again at Wolves? Shift Noni Madueke right, and you've got three England lads bossing midfield behind a lone striker. Tactical tweak or stroke of genius? Arteta loves a curveball.

Title Race Reality Check

Arsenal's humming without Ødegaard at full pelt – his absences haven't exactly rocked the boat. But with reserves low, this Wolves draw (er, the source hints at a 2-2 stub, fingers crossed it's not) could haunt 'em. Fabrizio Romano shut down Leon Goretzka links, but that's tomorrow's chip paper.

Point is, Gunners fans: your lads are title favourites for a reason. Eze needs to rediscover that magic, Saka's versatility is gold, and Ødegaard? Get fit, skip. The Emirates awaits a parade, not excuses. What's your shout – Eze redemption or Saka the new false nine? Grab a pint and debate.

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