Arsenal’s victory against West Ham United was marred by significant injury concerns, with key players Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice forced off the field with concerning issues, highlighting a growing list of problems for the Gunners. The 2-0 win, which propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, came at a considerable cost, raising questions about the team’s depth and long-term health. Odegaard, a crucial component of Arsenal’s midfield, suffered a knee injury during the match, colliding with Crysenio Summerville in a concerning knee-to-knee impact. Immediately following the collision, he was visibly uncomfortable and was swiftly placed in a brace, a stark indication of the severity of the injury. Arteta, speaking at his post-match press conference, expressed immediate concern, stating, "He had a clash knee-to-knee and immediately he was uncomfortable. He’s got a brace on. We’ll have to wait and see from the doctors." This substitution marked a particularly troubling statistic – Odegaard becoming the first Premier League player to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts, a testament to his recent struggles with injury. The situation is compounded by Odegaard’s previous absences due to a shoulder problem, having been unavailable for games against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. Arteta acknowledged this, stating, "We haven’t had him since the start of the season for one reason or the other, the shoulder twice and then this injury. We have to wait and see the extent of that injury." The impact of this injury is magnified by Odegaard’s significant contribution to Arsenal’s attacking play, a dimension that’s currently missing from the team.

Declan Rice, also a vital presence in midfield, suffered from a back injury, forcing his withdrawal in the 79th minute. Despite opening the scoring for Arsenal, he was unable to continue, a highly unusual occurrence given Rice’s typically robust fitness. Arteta expressed disappointment, stating, "He’s not alright because he asked me to come off, so that’s a shame." The injury further compounded Arsenal’s already substantial injury woes, with the team battling a lengthy list of unavailable players. Beyond Odegaard and Rice, Arsenal’s injury crisis includes absences from key figures such as Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Piero Hincapie, and Gabriel Jesus. Furthermore, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Christian Norgaard have also experienced spells on the sidelines. Arsenal’s injury problems have been a persistent issue throughout the season, with the team suffering at least one injury in all but one of their seven Premier League games so far. This prolonged period of unavailability poses a significant challenge for Arteta and his squad, impacting team selection and tactical flexibility. The team’s ability to maintain consistency and perform at their best will undoubtedly be affected by these ongoing absences.

Looking ahead, the immediate concern is the fitness of Odegaard and Rice, with their potential unavailability for international duty with Norway and England, respectively, adding another layer of concern. Arteta emphasized the need for a thorough assessment of the injuries, stating, "We will find solutions but obviously our captain is at a place that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attack. Hopefully it’s not that bad." Arteta confirmed that the team will resume their Premier League campaign away to Fulham, after the international break, in a game which is live on Sky Sports on Saturday October 18. Super 6 are starting the season by guaranteeing a £1,000,000 winner! Play for free."