#44 - Odegaard out, how Arsenal can line-up to still beat Spurs & Atalanta

Merino, Rice and Odegaard may all be out, but Arsenal can still name a strong XI in what is a very challenging week

Now I already knew we were short on players when I wrote about how Sterling and Zinchenko could be key to the tough week we have coming up, but it just got more serious with Martin Odegaard’s injury.

But I think the panic on social media is excessive.

So I decided to write a quick post about how, despite it not being great news, we still have some strong options and a team that’s capable of beating both Spurs and Atalanta, before heading to Manchester City.

Firstly, let’s tackle Spurs.

Of course we'd rather have Odegaard, Merino, Rice as options - perhaps that will even end up being our first choice midfield at some point, but others have to step up when called upon and that time is now. These are all senior internationals. Here’s how I’d line up our midfield and attack:

If you want to build your Arsenal XI, you can use our free squad builder here.

It’s a tough away game, so I would stick Jorginho in alongside Partey. He has played that slightly higher role before and whilst he’s not perfect for this role, he will help Arsenal with some of the ball retention qualities they lose with both Odegaard and Rice out. He may struggle to complete the 90, having not played all season, but he’s certainly not burnout and he’s been with Mikel Arteta all international break, so could have been prepped for the role from the second Rice got suspended.

Trossard and Havertz could combine again centrally, as they often did on the left side, but this time on the right. Alternating positions to help Arsenal retain the ball in the final third but offer a threat in behind too. I think the combination of these two players in central zones has been underrated. I always prefer Leo in these areas, and we had a brilliant run of form when these two played in tandem before. Kai may be a bit fatigued, but Leo has stayed behind with Mikel and should be very fresh and ready to prove a point.

I’d start with Martinelli on the left, but would be open to Sterling there too. I think both players hold a strong threat at exposing Tottenham’s very high line. They can hold width for us and be a goal threat.

Arsenal would still have Jesus and Sterling/Martinelli off the bench as impact players, as well as Ethan Nwaneri as a bit of a wildcard.

It’s not ideal, but it was only a couple of seasons ago that we were going to White Hart Lane with the likes of Rob Holding, Mo Elneny and Cedric Soares starting, so you won’t find me freaking out at the prospect of a lineup like this.

3 changes to the front 6 for Atalanta

Despite the injuries, we can still name a very strong team and make three changes for the Atalanta game ahead of Manchester City.

Rice, Sterling and Jesus could come in very fresh, whilst Jorginho may have to share the game with Partey and perhaps we get Nwaneri in for Havertz at some stage to allow Kai a bit of a break ahead of City.

Behind the front 6, Arsenal still have depth in the defence to keep that fresh, and in particular the full backs, who will need to support an unfamiliar midfield.

Jurrien Timber has got minutes to help rebuild his fitness with Netherlands, and Calafiori should be fit. Zinchenko and Kiwior are also options, if not from the start, good subs to be able to help Arsenal adapt tactically.

Ben White did not go on England duty, so should be fully recharged and ready to start all three games and in Sterling, we now have a player Arteta is likely to trust to take some minutes off Saka, allowing Bukayo to be fresh for City.

3 changes again to be fresh and ready at the Etihad

If you want to build your Arsenal XI, you can use our free squad builder here.

Of course we are talking three games into the future now, so a lot can change. But even if Odegaard is still out, Arsenal could then make another three tweaks for the City game and not be too exhausted.

Saka and Leo could come back in fresh, Jesus could be back to full fitness and Rice and Partey will have both had breaks recently to allow for them to be up to speed.

As I wrote about before, we could also explore Zinchenko in midfield, particularly if Mikel thinks Jorginho isn’t up to it. I see Jorgi and Zinchenko as very similar players in our build up, they operate in similar zones, so think this is a switch that could be made.