Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard on Saturday set an unenviable record in the Premier League when the Gunners hosted West Ham United in a London derby.
Ødegaard sustained an injury and was taken off for Martin Zubimendi in the 30th minute, thus becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts, according to football stats specialist Optajoe.
His run started on August 23, 2025, when Arsenal walloped Leeds United 5-0 in a Premier League match, with Ødegaard coming off for Ethan Nwaneri in the 35th minute after getting injured.
Having played a cameo role in the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, he was back in the starting lineup against Nottingham Forest in an EPL game at the Emirates Stadium on September 13.
The Norwegian international, due to a shoulder injury, was, however, subbed off for Nwaneri in the 18th minute as Arsenal thrashed Forest 3-0.
He missed the next game, a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, but played another cameo role when Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Saint James’ Park last weekend.
The attacking midfielder was back in the starting lineup against West Ham on Saturday, but did not complete the match, thus setting an unenviable Premier League record (edited)
