Ødegaard “getting stronger” as Arsenal captain nears long-awaited return

Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard has opened up about the hunger, frustration and excitement building as he closes in on his long-awaited return from injury. The 26-year-old has endured a bruising campaign, twice taking heavy blows to his shoulder before a knee-on-knee collision in the 26 October win over West Ham forced him off for a third consecutive home match. Since then, Arsenal have continued their unbeaten title charge without him — but the captain insists he is now in the final stretch of his recovery.

Ødegaard, speaking in the club’s matchday programme ahead of today’s North London derby, revealed that the final stages of rehab have reignited his competitive edge. He has not featured since late October, but is expected to return to the squad against Tottenham, adding leadership and control to a side already operating with impressive maturity.

With Liverpool and Manchester City both dropping points on Saturday, the timing could hardly be better. Arsenal have a chance to stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier League — and their captain wants in.

The Norwegian playmaker described this week as one of his most intense since the initial injury.

“This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab — it’s going very well,” he said. “I can feel I’m getting closer every day… I’m getting stronger and stronger.”

He emphasised how the late-stage rehab sessions have brought real joy: more pitch work, more aggressive movements, more moments that resemble real training. After weeks of controlled load, Ødegaard can finally see the finish line.

He also admitted that absence can sharpen mentality. “That’s one of the good things about being injured — you get hungrier and more excited to play again. I’m desperate to get going.”

With Ødegaard sidelined, the armband has rotated between Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhães and Mikel Merino. Declan Rice, also part of the leadership core, says the shared responsibility has strengthened the squad rather than destabilised it.

“Martin’s our main captain… but there’s also a group behind the scenes that help Martin out whenever he needs it,” Rice explained. He believes the openness within the squad — the ability for anyone to speak when needed — has helped Arsenal stay calm at the top of the table.

The collective maturity has been one of the reasons Arsenal remain unbeaten despite losing their orchestrator.

Having followed Arsenal closely this season, it’s clear the team have adapted remarkably well without their captain. But Ødegaard’s return adds something neither Eze, Merino nor Rice fully replicate: the ability to dictate rhythm under pressure. In our view, his comeback will shift Arsenal from controlled efficiency to controlled dominance because his pressing triggers and positional discipline stabilise both sides of the ball.

Although some supporters worry that reintroducing Ødegaard might disrupt Arsenal’s current flow, other indications point differently: his return actually reduces predictability. Opponents have recently set traps for Arsenal’s deeper midfielders — something Ødegaard helps bypass with quicker combinations.

From my experience covering Ødegaard since his early Real Sociedad years, he tends to come back sharper after long spells out. His technique and decision-making rely more on timing than explosiveness, which is why prolonged injuries rarely impact his ceiling the way they might for others.

Ødegaard’s comments about becoming “hungrier” matter. Arsenal are entering their most demanding stretch with Chelsea, Spurs and Champions League fixtures ahead. A fully energised captain returning at this point could give Arsenal an emotional lift similar to Martinelli’s comeback in past seasons. Players returning from setbacks often become internal catalysts — their presence raises standards.

Ødegaard is expected to feature in the matchday squad for today’s North London derby. Chelsea await next week, and if his minutes build smoothly, he could return to the starting XI before December’s Champions League fixtures.

👉 Arsenal fans — should Ødegaard be eased back in, or start immediately if passed fit?