27 March 2023 , 03:00
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Arsenal were made to fear as captain and leading light Martin Odegaard was hammered in a tackle by Rodri at the weekend.
The Norwegian has been the Gunners' main conductor in the final third this term and, as Mikel Arteta works with a small squad, any injury would be a major blow, especially at this point of the season. The north Londoners were able to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points before the international break.
They will resume domestic action next week with a home game against Leeds, who are fighting relegation. Arsenal's sole focus now is on the league after their recent exit from the Europa League following their defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Here's the latest from the Emirates.
Gunners skipper bemoans referee
Captain Odegaard was less than impressed after he was wiped out with a horror challenge by City midfielder Rodri on Saturday night.
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Odegaard is currently away on international duty and was selected for Norway's clash against Spain, but Gunners fans were left sweating when he was left writhing on the floor in agony after Rodri had crunched through him.
The Spaniard flew into Odegaard in the penalty area, catching the Gunners talisman heavily on the ankle. At time, it was clear that Odegaard was not happy with the challenge and was baffled with the decision from French referee Benoit Bastien to not award a penalty.
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Martin Odegaard was on the receiving end of a heavy tackleBalogun open to Ligue 1 stay
Folarin Balogun has refused to rule out the prospect of him staying in in Ligue 1 beyond this season after being quizzed about his long-term future.
The Arsenal striker has been prolific whilst on loan with the French side Reims this term - outscoring the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar after plundering 17 league goals in 27 games.
Balogun's form in France has not gone unnoticed - both at the Emirates and elsewhere. It remains to be seen if Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has plans to bring the academy graduate into the first-team picture with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard among his regular option. Eddie Nketia ish also in the mix meaning Balogun would need to stave off plenty of competition to get regular minutes.
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Mudryk changes his tune after Arsenal snub
Former Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk has risked the wrath of Gunners fans and his international team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko after the Chelsea ace claimed London is 'blue'.
At one stage of the January transfer window, it seemed as if Mudryk's move to Arsenal was just a matter of time. So it came as quite the shock when Mudryk's switch from Shakhtar Donetsk to the Gunners London rivals Chelsea was confirmed.
While Mudryk and Zinchenko are rivals at club level, they are colleagues while away on international duty for Ukraine. The Chelsea ace has explained how his Arsenal colleague has helped him settle in to the London lifestyle.
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"He helped me a lot. I like him so much. We often joke about Arsenal, Chelsea and what colour London is," Mudryk told Sky Sports. "But I like this guy, he is a very funny and very kind guy. We spend time always [together] in a positive way."
Read more here.