How Arsenal can replace captain Martin Odegaard against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been hit with a significant setback just days before the highly anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Captain Martin Odegaard limped off the pitch during Norway’s Nations League victory over Austria on Monday night, after suffering a severe ankle twist while challenging for a loose ball.

Although the exact duration of his absence is yet to be confirmed, the midfielder will certainly miss this weekend's crucial clash against Spurs.

This injury leaves Arsenal severely depleted in midfield, compounding the problems Arteta already faces in the middle of the park.

New signing Mikel Merino sustained a training injury before Arsenal's draw against Brighton, and star midfielder Declan Rice was handed a red card in that same match.

Both will be unavailable for the North London Derby—Merino due to injury and Rice through suspension.

With these absences, Arteta is left with a major dilemma as he seeks to fill the midfield void for one of the most important fixtures of the season. Here are some potential solutions the Spanish tactician could consider.

1. Kai Havertz Drops into Midfield

Arteta could opt to shift Kai Havertz into a deeper midfield role alongside Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

While Havertz has primarily operated in an advanced position, his versatility could allow him to step into a more creative midfield role in Odegaard's absence.

The German international has been in excellent form, scoring three goals in his last three appearances. If Havertz moves to midfield, Leandro Trossard could be deployed as a false nine, offering a more fluid attacking setup.

2. Leandro Trossard as a Central Playmaker

Alternatively, Arteta could move Leandro Trossard into a central attacking midfield position to fill Odegaard’s creative void. Trossard has proven to be a valuable asset for Arsenal, showing his ability to play across multiple attacking positions.

Deploying the Belgian as a number 10 would allow Havertz to continue in his current role upfront, keeping the team’s attacking rhythm intact while relying on Trossard's creative presence in the middle.

3. Oleksandr Zinchenko as a Midfield Option

Another option Arteta could explore is pushing Oleksandr Zinchenko into a midfield role. The versatile Ukrainian has played as a central midfielder before and could partner with Thomas Partey and Jorginho to form a more balanced trio in the middle.

This tactical shift could see Arsenal adopt a 4-3-3 formation, relying heavily on wide players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to provide the creative spark.