Mikel Arteta's midfield headache: 3 ways Arsenal manager can cope without Martin Odegaard

Arsenal’s international break has brought unwelcome news with captain Martin Odegaard suffering a severe ankle injury.

With Odegaard potentially out for an extended period, Mikel Arteta faces a pivotal challenge: how to maintain midfield creativity and balance in his absence.

Here are three viable strategies that Mikel Arteta could use to solve the Odegaard problem.

The vastly experienced former Harambee Stars forward joined Police from Zesco United during the off season and even scored a brace in a recent friendly match against Gor Mahia.

One straightforward solution is to reposition Kai Havertz into the midfield. The German international, who has excelled as a forward this season with three goal contributions in as many games, was previously utilised in a midfield role.

Havertz’s versatility and technical ability make him a natural fit for this position. However, this move could leave the forward line exposed, especially with Gabriel Jesus recovering from a groin injury and Eddie Nketiah now at Crystal Palace.

Arteta might look to Arsenal’s promising young midfielders to fill the gap. Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest player to ever feature for the club, has shown promise and could be tasked with supporting Bukayo Saka in attacking roles.

Ben White only has four appearances for England after exiling himself from the squad.

Another option is Myles Lewis-Skelly, who at 17 is highly rated and compared to Jack Wilshere by fans. Despite being less integrated into the first team, Lewis-Skelly’s profile as a creative midfielder makes him a strong candidate to step into Odegaard’s role.

Oleksandr Zinchenko offers another flexible solution. Known for his positional versatility, Zinchenko can effectively operate as a midfielder, a role he excelled in during his time at Manchester City.

Dutch national team captain Virgil Van Dijk commented on the errors of his teammate across the international break.

Moving Zinchenko into the midfield could enhance Arsenal’s ball movement and defensive solidity, allowing the team to maintain its attacking rhythm while covering Odegaard’s absence.

Each of these options presents its own set of benefits and challenges, but Arteta’s ability to adapt will be crucial in ensuring Arsenal remains competitive during this period.