ARSENAL fans are panicking over Martin Odegaard’s injury – after spotting a subtle change to their usual squad photo.
The Norwegian star posed alongside his Gunners teammates in the team’s annual 25-man picture.
GettyThe Arsenal 2024/25 squad photo featured two footballs placed in front of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka[/caption]
SplashOdegaard is nursing a left ankle injury after going down against Austria last week[/caption]
GettyThe subtle change is in contrast to previous years, including in 2023[/caption]
Getty – ContributorIn 2022, with no trophy to display, the Gunners also opted against using any further props[/caption]
Odegaard is currently nursing a left ankle injury and missed Sunday’s North London Derby win over Tottenham.
The 25-year-old midfielder picked up the issue during international duty with Norway.
Odegaard limped off the pitch in tears following a rough challenge from Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner last Monday.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has since given little away on the severity of his captain’s knock.
Asked about Odegaard following Sunday’s 1-0 victory, he said: “We still have to wait and see, it’s not clear yet.”
Fans were quick to notice two balls had been put out in front of the assembled 25 players at the photoshoot.
One ball obscured Odegaard’s left ankle, with the other placed ahead of Bukayo Saka to seemingly create symmetry.
Arsenal’s squad photos have not followed a similar trend in recent years.
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Arteta put the Community Shield in pride of place during the shoot in 2023, but no other objects were featured in the snap.
A year prior in 2022, when there was no trophy to display, the team opted against using any other props.
One Arsenal fan groaned in response: “They put the ball over Martin Odegaard’s left ankle, it’s not looking good bruv.”
Another eagle-eyed fan added: “Blocking Odegaard’s ankle with the ball. I know what you’re doing.”
While a third laughed: “If only they had trophies to make it less obvious. Oh wait…”
But a fourth countered: “Never would this be intentionally done by the club.”
And a fifth agreed: “Saka’s ankle was blocked too. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Odegaard joined Declan Rice and Mikel Merino on the sidelines as Arsenal saw off Spurs in Sunday’s derby.
His injury could be “significant”, according to The Athletic correspondent David Ornstein.
Ornstein told The Athletic FC podcast: “He was never going to make it, it was what Arteta said.
“And it looks like a significant injury, but look, we don’t know.
“The last I heard, they didn’t have full clarity from the scan still, because of the extent of the swelling, but the extent of the swelling concerns you, if you’re an Arsenal fan.”