As Matchday 3 of the Premier League shows, Arsenal will play Liverpool in arguably the best game of the weekend. While the Reds are coming guns blazing, the Gunners are missing two of their best offensive players in Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, which might put them in the underdogs department.

Martin Odegaard is not in the starting lineup but he is on the bench. The Norwegian attacking midfielder suffered a shoulder injury last week against Leeds United, but might be able to play if Mikel Arteta decides to put him in.

Odegaard is usually the one who commands the tempo on offense as his ability to create chances is something special. The left-footed player also brings dinamic in the center of the field opening spaces for other players to do their harm.

Why is Bukayo Saka not playing?

As for Saka, he is not even on the bench for this game. The academy product has a hamstring injury, also suffered against Leeds. Saka has dealt with plenty of injuries during the last couple of seasons, which is alarming, as he is a very young player and is already racking up injuries.

Saka, when healthy, might be the team’s best player coming down the right wing. Also left footed, he cuts inside to either shoot or create space for an overlaping fullback. In the end, without him, they lose a stellar dribbler and a top-tier creator.

Who are replacing both Odegaard and Saka?

Usually playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, manager Mikel Arteta had to call an audible and change schemes. Arsenal will present a 4-3-3 as they lost their ‘number 10’ in Odegaard. Hence, Zubimendi and Declan Rice will still be on the lineup, but Mikel Merino will take a spot in the starting XI as an additional central midfielder.

As for Saka’s replacement, new signing Noni Madueke will take the right wing spot. Madueke is more of a natural replacement for Saka, as he shares plenty of skills with Saka. They are both speedy, left-footed players. While Saka is a much more skillful player in terms of ball control and technique, Madueke’s speed and one-on-one ability could prove fruitful for the Gunners.

[Watch Denmark vs Norway live for FREE in the USA on Fubo]

A confrontation between Nordic teams takes place again on this FIFA Matchday. Once again, Denmark are one of the teams playing. The Danes have just defeated Sweden 2-1 and are looking to continue preparing their team for Euro 2024, which is about to begin.

Now, they will face a higher-class rival. Although Norway boasts what many describe as a “golden generation,” led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, they have not yet achieved any significant success. They aim to change that in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and are looking to prepare in the best possible way.

Denmark vs Norway: Kick-Off Time in your country

Argentina: 2:30 PM
Australia: 3:30 AM (June 9)
Canada: 1:30 PM
Denmark: 7:30 PM
France: 7:30 PM
Germany: 7:30 PM
Indonesia: 1:30 AM (June 9)
Ireland: 6:30 PM
Mexico: 11:30 AM
Nigeria: 6:30 PM
Norway: 7:30 PM
Portugal: 6:30 PM
South Africa: 7:30 PM
UAE: 9:30 PM
UK: 6:30 PM
USA: 1:30 PM (ET)

Denmark vs Norway: TV Channel and Live Streaming in your country

Source: Livesoccertv.com

Argentina: Star+ Argentina
Australia: Optus Sport
Canada: DAZN Canada
Denmark: TV2 Play Denmark, TV2 Denmark
France: L’Equipe Live Foot
Germany: DAZN Deutschland
Indonesia: Vision+, Sportstars 2, K-Vision
Republic of Ireland: Premier Sports Player
Mexico: Blue To Go Video Everywhere, Sky HD
Nigeria: DStv Now, SuperSport OTT 6
Norway: TV 2 Play, TV 2 Direct
Portugal: Sport TV Multiscreen, Sport TV3
South Africa: SuperSport OTT 6
United Arab Emirates: beIN SPORTS CONNECT ALL, beIN Sports HD 4
UK: Premier Sports Player
USA: Fubo (free trial), ViX

Midway through the first half – with the Gunners already leading 1-0 thanks to a Gabriel Magalhaes header, the Norwegian superstar handled the ball inside the box as Mohamed Salah was trying to dribble past him.

Referee Chris Kavanagh let the game continue, and VAR official David Coote didn’t deem it was a penalty either. Liverpool fans and pundits immediately looked shock with the decision, but Sky Sports later revealed the official explanation given by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) as to why it wasn’t a penalty.

The explanation stated the play was considered “not a clear and obvious error” as Odegaard’s arm was “moving towards the body and not the ball” as he went down. They confirmed Odegaard touched the ball with his arm, but since he was trying to balance himself and the arm moved towards his body it wasn’t considered a penalty.

Jurgen Klopp and other reactions to the referees’ decision

While the situation immediately left the home fans in disbelief, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp still didn’t understand why the play wasn’t considered a handball offense after the match.

“Yes I have seen it. I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don’t know how?” said Klopp, via The Telegraph. “I don’t say that the ref (Chris Kavanagh) can see it because I don’t know where he was in that moment. But how can a guy in an office (the Var David Coote) see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly it could be worth the referee having another look?”

Curiously, even Arsenal center-back William Saliba admitted he thought it was a penalty in his post-game interview with Viaplay: “Yeah, of course. Of course it was a penalty. But I’m not the ref.”

The Premier League title race is wide open

With the draw at Anfield, the top spot of the Premier League table still belongs to Arsenal, but it remains to be seen for how long. Right now, the Gunners lead the way with 40 points after 18 games, followed by Liverpool and Aston Villa – both with 39 points.

Tottenham are currently fourth with 36, but recent Club World Cup champions Manchester City still have one game in hand. Pep Guardiola’s side has 34 points in 17 rounds, so it will be interesting to see if it gets involved in the title race fast. The league will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 26, with an eventful Boxing Day.

Therefore, it isn’t strange to see them attract world-renowned players every year. Besides, their academy – commonly known as ‘La Fabrica’ – is also famous for producing some of the most promising players on Earth.

The club’s scouting area makes sure to track youngsters with the potential to succeed, hoping to find the next generational talent. But one of their prospects had to leave Spain in order to blossom into a world-class player.

Martin Odegaard’s worth increases $53m after leaving Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard‘s market value on Transfermarkt increased €50 million ($53m) since he left Real Madrid for Arsenal. The Norwegian was worth €40m ($42m) when he left the Spanish side for the Gunners in January 2021, but after more than two years in north London, his market value is €90 million ($95m).

The midfielder joined Real Madrid’s B team from Stromsgodset as a 16-year-old teenager in 2015. He eventually got promoted to the senior squad, but was loaned on multiple occasions before he settled in at the Emirates Stadium.

Odegaard, 24, initially joined Arsenal on a short-term loan before the English club made the move permanent in August 2021 for a reported €35m ($37m). From then on, his market value took off.

How many games has Martin Odegaard played for Real Madrid?

Martin Odegaard made 62 appearances with Real Madrid Castilla, whereas he played only 11 games with the first team.

Manchester Citydon’t want to give up. A few days ago, after a victory against Tottenham,Pep Guardiolaquestioned if his players were still hungry for titles. This is the momentto show it. Even though they’refive points behindArsenalin thePremier League, the Citizens are very much alive in the three major competitions: Champions League, Premier andFA Cup.

Arsenalare the biggest surprise in Europe. Their start at the2022-2023 Premier Leaguehas been amazing with 50 points after19 games. However, theFA Cupis a very different storywith the knockout stages. They have won this tournament 14 times (record) and the last one came in the 2019-2020 season.

Why is Martin Odegaardnot playing in Manchester Cityvs Arsenal?

In a surprising tactical decision by Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard won’t start in the midfield for Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup. One of the newest additions of the team, Leandro Trossard, gets the call in a major opportunity to show his worth against Manchester City.

Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah will complete the attack for Arsenal in what should be the perfect scenario to send a strong statement. This is also a clear message from Mikel Arteta who is rotating several players. The FA Cup is important, but the Premier League is their priority.

Though Martin Odegaard is not starting, the Norwegian player is available to come from the bench.Considering the special format of the FA Cup, the single-elimination game, Odegaard might be crucial in the last part of the match.