Already this season, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing an early test. The absence of Martin Odegaard, their captain, is a big blow.

Arsenal face being without arguably their most creative player until at least the November international break with a knee ligament injury. The Gunners are set to be missing their skipper for up to six games.

A similarly serious blow hit them hard last season. The Norwegian was out for an extended period with an ankle injury suffered while on international duty with Norway and then struggled to recapture his best form upon he returned. Arsenal fans duly only saw flashes of his brilliance.

Since, there have been questions asked of Odegaard as captain, particularly when he hasn't been up to his usual high standards. There were times when you could see from his body language that his own...