‘Something not right’ – Injury fears for Arsenal star after early change against Atletico

Martin Odegaard was hauled off before the hour mark during Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final showdown with Atletico Madrid.

The Gunners captain has endured a difficult season where he has struggled for form and fitness, limited to just 10 starting appearances since the turn of the year.

The Norway international returned from his latest issue earlier this month, playing the full 90 minutes against Manchester City and Newcastle United before starting again against Atletico on Wednesday night.

But in a tight contest in the Spanish capital, Arteta opted to replace his skipper on 57 minutes with Eberechi Eze onto replace him.

Arteta may have had one eye on Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham, another must-win game in their bid to win their first title for 22 years, before Atletico come to the capital for the second leg next Tuesday.

But some observers were left convinced Odegaard is still struggling with injury.

The former Real Madrid midfielder appeared to receive treatment from the club’s medical staff at the end of the first-half with TV2, Norway’s broadcaster for the match, also speculating there may be an issue.

TV2’s football expert Erik Thorstvedt speculated a recent knee is still causing Odegaard problems.

‘It is completely unnatural that he should be replaced so early,’ he said after Odegaard was replaced.

‘He has something that is not quite right. There is something in his left knee that is not right. It is a great shame.’

Arteta did not disclose any details behind Odegaard’s withdrawal after the game.

The midfielder missed three months of last season with an ankle injury, struggling with various issues this season.

The skipper was briefly sidelined with a shoulder injury in September with a knee problem sidelining him for eight games from October to November.

Knee issues resurfaced this year, missing a run of games in February and March.