The Norwegian midfielder suffered a painful ankle injury on Monday and is now expected to miss the Gunners’ crucial trips to Tottenham, Atalanta, and Man City.
Arsenal fans can breathe a sigh of relief as club captain Martin Odegaard appears to have avoided the worst after picking up an ankle injury in Norway’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Austria.
Despite suffering a knock during the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Brighton right before the international break, the former Real Madrid wonderkid joined up with the national team and started Monday’s clash with Austria.
However, the 25-year-old was assisted off the pitch in tremendous pain after rolling his ankle and succumbing to injury. The midfielder was later spotted in crutches as he hopped onto a private jet to return to London to undergo tests.
While the North London giants are yet to determine the extent of their captain’s injury, Norwegian national team doctor Ola Sand gave a preliminary diagnosis, claiming that the player will likely be sidelined for only a few weeks.
The captain is scheduled for additional scans on Thursday but has already undergone an MRI, which suggests Odegaard has avoided a fracture.
“What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle,” Norway doctor Ola Sand told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, as per the Evening Standard.
“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer.
“Both Stale [Solbakken] and I know that that collection hangs in the balance. It is not excluded. But we have to wait and see both what the MRI images show and how quickly he responds to treatment.
“Ankle injuries are very painful right away. With Martin, it was extremely painful. He became very worried.
“They are studying the MRI images now, and have sent them on. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus.”
It should be noted that this is merely a preliminary diagnosis, with Sand stressing that the three-week timeframe is merely a possibility and not the official layoff.
The Gunners will likely update fans on the captain’s situation soon but despite the positive update, Martin appears destined to be out until the October international break.
This is a huge blow as the midfielder will miss Arsenal’s next three games against Arsenal, Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League, and Manchester City. All three fixtures are away matches.
Arteta’s side are desperate to return to winning ways after drawing 1-1 in their most recent league fixture but will be in for a tough test at Spurs and the Cityzens.
Declan Rice will also miss this weekend’s North London Derby through suspension while summer signing Mikel Merino is expected to be out until October due to a should injury. Riccardo Calafiori, meanwhile, picked up a knock in Italy’s 3-1 win over France during the international break.
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