Arteta can fix Odegaard blow with Arsenal ace “on the same level as Pedri”

All things considered, it’s been a good start to the season for Arsenal this year.

Mikel Arteta’s side look as defensively resolute as ever, are that bit more potent going forward, and most importantly of all, sit one point clear of Liverpool atop the Premier League table.

However, it has not been the perfect start, and one of the main reasons why is yet more injuries to important first-teamers, such as Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian had to come off before half-time against West Ham United for the third league game on the bounce before the international break, and will be out of action with an MCL injury until midway through next month at the earliest.

Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom, as, thanks to his squad, Arteta now has a few options to replace the talented number eight, including one slightly unorthodox one involving an international in red-hot form.

Why Odegaard will be such a miss

With recent updates making it clear that Odegaard will be out of action for at least another month, it’s easy to understand why some fans would be worried.

After all, while he had a poor season last year, he was named the club’s Player of the Year for the two campaigns prior, and is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the squad.

For example, when he is at his best, the Drammen-born maestro is someone who can collect the ball from deeper areas of the pitch, glide past a player or two and deliver a brilliant pass for someone to finish.

Moreover, while it wasn’t on show last year, the former Real Madrid gem has a lethal shot, making him a dual threat, as evidenced by his 41 goals and 40 assists in just 205 appearances for the club.

Finally, even though it wasn’t a particularly large sample size, the 26-year-old international was starting to get back to his best in the last few games.

He helped to change the game against Newcastle United, and then against Olympiacos, he could have had a handful of assists, given the number of chances he created.

The left-footed dynamo was also looking good against the Hammers before he was forced off.

In short, it’s hard not to see Odegaard’s absence as a significant setback for Arsenal, but Arteta does have a few options to choose from when it comes to replacing him, including one international.

The Arsenal player who could replace Odegaard

When thinking of possible solutions to Odegaard’s injury, the name that’ll likely come to most fans first is Eberechi Eze.

After all, the Englishman played in midfield for Crystal Palace last season and has been in good form domestically and internationally over recent weeks.

However, while playing the 27-year-old in place of the Norwegian could well work, it would leave Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard as the only options on the left, and neither one has impressed when starting this season.

So, another option Arteta could take is starting Mikel Merino in place of the club captain.

Now, this might not be the most popular idea, as some could view it as more of a defensive solution, but that does not have to be the case, as if the last year has shown anything, it’s that the former Real Sociedad star is a real goal threat.

For example, his headed goal against Newcastle United was his seventh Premier League strike in 2025, and impressively, that is two clear of Martinelli, who is the club’s second top scorer in the competition in the calendar year.

As if that isn’t enough, the Spaniard has also scored two goals and provided three assists in the Champions League last season, and has been on fire for La Roja this year.

In eight games for the European Champions, the 6 foot 2 titan has scored eight goals and provided one assist, which is a run of form that has seen his manager, Luis de la Fuente, claim he is “on the same level as Pedri and Rodri.”

So, with all that said, it might well be worth Arteta playing him in a more attacking midfield role over the coming weeks, giving him license to arrive late in the box or even act at times as a second striker to Viktor Gyokeres.

If the Pamplona-born star can replicate some of his international form for the club, fans might quickly view his inclusion in the midfield as an attacking decision, not a defensive one.

Ultimately, the manager has the squad to try a few different things over the next month or so, but based on his output and clear threat, Merino deserves a chance to cover for Odegaard.