- Martin Odegaard limped off with an ankle injury during a match with Norway
- Norway’s national team doctor has provided an update on Odegaard’s fitness
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Martin Odegaard will miss at least three weeks of action after suffering an ankle injury while with Norway’s national team.
Arsenal star Odegaard limped off the pitch in the second half of his country’s 2-1 Nations League win over Austria on Monday in a worrying sign for Gunners supporters.
Odegaard appeared in distress as he limped off the pitch, before later being seen on crutches as he hobbled onto a private jet – the problem was described as a “serious ankle injury”.
And according to Norwegian team doctor Ola Sand, the 25-year-old, who underwent medical tests in London on Tuesday, appears to have avoided a broken ankle but is expected to be out of action for at least the rest of September.
“These ankle injuries usually take at least three weeks to heal,” he told a Norwegian media outlet. VG. ‘Everything else is just a bonus. And then it can take longer.
Martin Odegaard is reported to miss at least three weeks of action with an ankle injury.
Odegaard limped off with the problem during Norway’s match against Austria on Monday night.
‘Ankle injuries are very painful straight away. In Martin’s case, it was extremely painful. He became very worried.
‘They are studying the MRI images and have sent them. No violation is suspected.
‘What we have gathered so far from the MRI scan in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.
“If he breaks, we’re talking about being out of action for six more weeks.”
The news of Odegaard’s injury comes as a blow to Mikel Arteta, with the Arsenal captain likely to miss the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
That comes with his talismanic midfield partner Declan Rice already suspended for the clash after being sent off last time out against Brighton, while new £33million signing Mikel Merino is out with a fractured shoulder.
There is also concern in Norway that Odegaard could be absent during the upcoming international break, with Stale Solbakken’s side due to face Slovenia and Austria on October 10 and 13.
If that were to be the case, Odegaard could miss up to seven Arsenal games over the next month.
As well as the north London derby, this would include a crucial Premier League game against Manchester City, along with Champions League matches with Atalanta and PSG.
Sand, who revealed that Arsenal have signed Odegaard, also explained the next steps for Odegaard.
“I’ve had ankle injuries before,” he added. “It’s always a bit difficult to interpret an MRI when you’ve had an old injury.”
“But Arsenal are almost certain that there is no infringement. Although this may take some time yet.
“The most important thing is how he responds to rehabilitation in the coming weeks. He will start off carefully on the bike, taking into account what pain he can tolerate. Then he will gradually progress.”
Solbakken, meanwhile, lamented the injury and stressed that things would be much more difficult if Odegaard is not available.
Arteta is certain to be in the same boat, with the Norwegian having been quite the presence since moving to the Emirates, initially on loan, in January 2021.
In total, the midfielder has played 156 times for the club, scoring 31 goals and adding 23 assists, with the 25-year-old rapidly progressing to club captain ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Following Sunday’s clash with Tottenham, Arsenal will begin their Champions League campaign against Atalanta next Thursday.
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