Football fans rarely miss a trick on social media and Arsenal’s supporters have once again proved this to be the case.

After the Gunners released their annual 25-man squad photo for the 2024/25 campaign, it did not take long for some online to pick up on a subtle change to team snaps in previous years.

Arsenal fans were left with concerns over their captainGetty

As is tradition, club captain Martin Odegaard is pictured front and centre, next to manager Mikel Arteta, but it was the addition of a football at his feet which left fans fearing the worst.

Odegaard, along with winger Bukayo Saka on other side of Arteta, both have a ball placed in front of them.

However, many were quick to point out that the ball is covering the Arsenal skipper’s ankle, the same place where recently sustained an injury.

The midfielder limped off the pitch in tears after a strong tackle whilst on international duty with Norway, and missed his team’s north London derby victory over Tottenham on Sunday as a result.

With Arteta remaining coy on an exact return date for the 25-year-old, the subtle change to usual squad photos was enough to convince some supporters that the injury may be worse than first feared.

One supporter raised the concern, writing: “FWIW (possibly nothing) – previous year team photos did not include footballs placed at the feet of the players to either side of the manager.

“Probably just a coincidence that a ball is obscuring Martin Odegaard’s currently injured ankle this year.”

Last season, Arsenal’s team photo featured their recently-won Community Shield in front of Arteta.

In the absence of silverware heading into the 2022/23 campaign, the club elected against using any other props.

But others were not convinced that this year’s choice of accessories was merely a coincidence, and shared their worries online.

Odegaard has been absent since coming off worse in a clash with Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner while playing for NorwayGetty

Odegaard required assistance as he hobbled off the pitch

GettyDespite this, the Gunners skipper looked upbeat as he took part in their annual team photo[/caption]

A pessimistic Arsenal fan wrote: “They put the ball over Martin Odegaard’s left ankle, it’s not looking good bruv.”

Another agreed, commenting: “I know they put that ball there to hide Odegaard’s ankle.”

Elsewhere in the replies, one joked: “If only they had trophies to make it less obvious. Oh wait…”

A supporter also admitted they had hoped Odegaard’s appearance in the photo would provide an injury update, saying: “The ball is covering Odegaard’s left leg.

“Wanted to check if he’s wearing a boot on it.”

Last year’s photo also featured Win the dogGetty

The Norwegian playmaker’s injury could arguably not have come at a worse time for the Gunners.

After missing out on their 1-0 victory over Spurs, it is unclear whether he will be available for their top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City.

And Odegaard is not the only fitness concern ahead of the huge encounter, with new signing Riccardo Calafiori also absent in their last match following a calf injury.

There is some positive news for the fretful Gunners fans online, with star man Saka expected to be fit despite hobbling off towards the end of their derby day win.

Last season’s Premier League runners-up will need all of their firepower available for the potentially-crucial encounter, with Arsenal bidding to stake their title credentials against the champions.