Arsenal’s decision to dell Emile Smith Rowe under scrutiny as Odegaard injury woes mount.
Troy Deeney has expressed his surprise at Arsenal’s decision to part ways with Emile Smith Rowe, suggesting the midfielder could have been the ideal replacement for the injured Martin Odegaard.
The Arsenal captain’s ankle injury, sustained during Norway’s Nations League victory over Austria, has left him doubtful for the highly-anticipated north London derby against Tottenham.
Deeney’s comments have sparked debate about Arsenal’s transfer strategy, with many questioning the wisdom of letting Smith Rowe go.
The 25-year-old Odegaard was forced off the pitch in Oslo and was later spotted using crutches as he boarded a flight back to England, casting a shadow over Arsenal’s preparations for the crucial derby clash.
Read Also: Odegaard’s Injury Woe: Norway Doctor Provides Update As Arsenal Star Returns Home On Crutches
On Odegaard’s injury, Deeney said:
‘I think it will be a monumental miss.
‘Arsenal got lucky over the last two years with no one getting injured and no one really missing any big games through suspension.
‘This week will probably be the first time they will be without two massive players through injury and suspension so we’ll see how they deliver.’
Deeney feels Arsenal could be ruing their decision to sell Smith Rowe to Fulham given he could have been the ideal ‘stop-gap’ should Odegaard be set for a spell on the sidelines.
‘This is where the frustration is with some Arsenal fans I know, in terms of letting go of Emile Smith Rowe.’
‘He’s not the same player as Odegaard by any stretch by he would certainly offer a stop-gap in that moment.
‘Now, you probably would have to start looking at dropping [Kai] Havertz back a bit, maybe put [Gabriel] Jesus in there but he’s injured as well there’s a few little tweaks that will have to be done.’
‘For Declan Rice they’ve obviously got Jorginho who can come in.
He’s not the same type of player but will keep the ball and he’ll do well in the Champions League games.
‘But I just think when you look at it, Arsenal’s XI is very, very good but after that you just start to go,
“Oh, if one of the centre-backs gets injured they might be struggling here, if the right-back gets injured it’s not the same”.
‘I think that’s where Manchester City are just a level above everybody.’
Odegaard’s absence would dealt a significant blow to Mikel Arteta‘s side, already reeling from the suspension of Declan Rice and the injury-enforced absence of summer signing Mikel Merino.
