{"id":23890,"date":"2026-02-22T19:20:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T19:20:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/mikel-arteta-removes-major-hint-for-martin-odegaard-ahead-of-crucial-north-london-derby\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T19:20:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T19:20:32","slug":"mikel-arteta-removes-major-hint-for-martin-odegaard-ahead-of-crucial-north-london-derby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/22\/mikel-arteta-removes-major-hint-for-martin-odegaard-ahead-of-crucial-north-london-derby\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta removes major hint for Martin Odegaard ahead of crucial north London derby"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, but doubts remain over captain Martin Odegaard’s fitness hours before the match<\/h2>\n
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Martin Odegaard is doubtful to play in the North London derby (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Manager Mikel Arteta has suggested Martin Odegaard could have a big say in the north London derby even if he is ruled out. The Arsenal captain has missed the majority of this season due to various issues.<\/p>\n
He was ruled out as Arsenal drew 2-2 with struggling Wolves in midweek. Gunners manager Arteta lamented the absence of his captain ahead of this week’s game against Tottenham Hotspur.<\/p>\n
“We will miss him at the biggest part of the season,” Arteta said. \u201cWe see that the rate of his being able to contact us is far from ideal.<\/p>\n
“But again, he’s been part of the journey this year, dealing with a lot of injuries and the departure of a lot of key players, same as we are now. And the team has done very well to maintain the level. Injuries are probably the worst part of our profession.”<\/p>\n
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read more: Arsenal star says Gunners have secretly signed two ‘incredible players’<\/span><\/span>read more: Arsenal warn for north London derby after predictions for game against Tottenham<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
“And it’s difficult for a player to go through a series of big events and also understand Martin and understand how much he wants to be involved in the team. So, yeah, we had a very close relationship with him.”<\/p>\n
Asked if Odegaard would still be able to hold a pre-match team talk even if restricted to the sidelines, Arteta said: “That depends. It usually comes from them. It’s up to them.”<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone wants to say something, or if they have discussed it with the leadership group that they really think it would make a difference on the day, they have complete freedom to do it.<\/p>\n
“So if he wants to do that, he’s more than welcome. If it comes from them, it’ll be even more powerful.”<\/p>\n
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Kai Havertz will also undergo a fitness test in the second half (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Arteta has already spoken about Odegaard’s chances of being on the pitch on Sunday, as well as Kai Havertz’s fitness. Speaking about the pair in the pre-match press conference, he said: “Well, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow, but there’s a good chance they’ll be in the match.”<\/p>\n
Arsenal desperately need a win to regain momentum towards winning the Premier League title. The Gunners currently have just a two-point advantage over Manchester City after Josep Guardiola’s side defeated Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Spurs also need three points for their own reasons, with the north London side having endured a miserable season so far. The Reds are just four points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Igor Tudor’s first game as manager.<\/p>\n
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![\"Martin](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36762147.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/2_GettyImages-2261298114.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"Kai](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36762149.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2259793827.jpg\")
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