Pep Guardiola admits he feels ‘so sorry’ for Martin Odegaard with the Arsenal captain set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Mikel Arteta confirmed earlier this week that his skipper’s ankle injury was ‘significant’ and it is reported that he will be in the treatment room for the next eight weeks.
While Arteta does have options to replace the attacking midfielder, Arsenal did look short of creativity in the two matches he has missed so far, namely the north London derby win and the 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League.
Odegaard will be absent for a number of big games including Sunday’s ‘early title decider’ at Manchester City, and their manager Guardiola says he is gutted his side won’t be able to take on the ‘exceptional’ player.
‘I am so sorry for him. Always I like to play against the biggest and toughest squad,’ he said in Friday’s pre-match press conference.
‘Odegaard is the captain of Arsenal and everybody knows he’s an important and exceptional player.
‘Of course, he’s an important player, but year by year Arsenal get better because they invest a lot in the depth of squad. To have more players in a long, long season with injury problems, suspensions, bad form or whatever.
‘Always the depth of squad helps you.’
While Odegaard is out, Raheem Sterling make his full Arsenal debut against the side with whom he enjoyed so much success.
The England forward worked closely with Guardiola and Arteta at the Etihad, helping the Citizens win four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and five League Cups between 2015 and 2022.
His loan move to the Emirates from Chelsea on deadline day stunned many including Guardiola, who added: ‘I heard Mikel say he was surprised as well and didn’t expect to hire him.
‘I wish him all the best. I’ve said many times, all the players that behaved unbelievably in this club, helped us to be who we are, where we are.
‘We cannot understand the first years in my tenure at Man City without Raheem. He has been so important. I wish him all the best.
‘Of course, I would prefer he doesn’t perform well on Sunday!’
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