Arsenal celebrated dramatically, but worries grew.
Arsenal, led by manager Mikel Arteta, narrowly beat Sporting CP 1-0 in the first leg of the 2025-2026 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals in Lisbon, Portugal, on the 8th (Korea time).
Arsenal were 0-0 when in added time Martinelli provided a sharp forward pass, and Kai Havertz, who had been substituted on in the 25th minute of the second half, scored dramatically. Arsenal are now close to the semifinal threshold.
But Arteta could not smile. Captain Martin Ødegaard (28) again showed abnormal symptoms in his physical condition. Ødegaard sat on the bench with a dark expression immediately after being substituted for Havertz.
According to the British broadcaster BBC, Ødegaard limped slightly off the field. The outlet said, "Ødegaard appeared to point to his leg while complaining of pain," and explained, "He received treatment before being substituted and had a rather long and heated conversation with manager Arteta before sitting on the bench."
After the match, Arteta said about Ødegaard's condition, "Partly it was a tactical choice, but it was also a precautionary substitution considering his recent physical condition."
But local media are not viewing it simply. Since Ødegaard had already suffered multiple injuries this season, they say this "muscle blow" could lead to a season-ending situation.
This season has been a "nightmare" for Ødegaard. According to the statistics site Transfermarkt, he has been sidelined four times this season alone, missing as many as 22 matches.
Ødegaard missed 3 matches in September last year with a shoulder injury, 8 matches in October with a knee injury, 4 matches in February this year with a muscle injury and contusion, and 7 matches in February–March with a recurrence of a knee injury.
If Ødegaard, who has just started two consecutive matches as a starter, goes down again, it would be a blow for Arsenal. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are already out of the squad. Losing Ødegaard as well could deal a critical blow to Arsenal's ambition to win the Premier League and the Champions League simultaneously.
The outlet says Arsenal's season fate depends on the results of Ødegaard's detailed diagnosis. The matches against Bournemouth in the Premier League on the 11th and the second leg against Sporting on the 16th have become emergency fixtures.
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