Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard faces the prospect of a significant spell on the sidelines following an ankle injury sustained while playing for Norway in their 2-1 victory over Austria in the Nations League on Monday. The 25-year-old midfielder was forced to leave the match in the second half after an awkward challenge from Austrian player Christoph Baumgartner caused his ankle to twist unnaturally during a battle for the ball.
Odegaard received on-pitch medical attention for several minutes before being substituted. Norway’s head coach, Stale Solbakken, expressed concern over the injury after the game, noting the severity of what appeared to be an ankle sprain. “It didn’t look good in the dressing room either,” Solbakken admitted. “He was surrounded by physiotherapists, and it was clear he couldn’t continue. We believe it’s a sprain, and with some luck, the ligaments might not be torn.”
Norway’s team doctor, Ola Sand, also provided an update, explaining the difficulty in determining the full extent of Odegaard’s injury right away. “It appears to be a mild ankle sprain, but we need to observe how it develops over the next 24 hours,” Sand explained. “We will assess him further tonight and possibly use ultrasound to get a clearer idea. If needed, an MRI scan will be done tomorrow.”
The uncertainty surrounding Odegaard’s condition leaves both Norway and Arsenal anxious as they await the results of these tests. Sand emphasized that ankle sprains can vary in recovery time, depending on the severity, and it’s too soon to say whether Odegaard will need an extended break from football.
Odegaard’s injury comes at a critical moment for Arsenal, with a series of challenging fixtures looming. They face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby this Sunday, followed by crucial away games against Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premier League.
Adding to Arsenal’s woes, they are already set to be without another key player, Declan Rice, who is suspended for the Spurs clash. Additionally, summer signing Mikel Merino remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. Odegaard’s potential absence is a significant blow to Mikel Arteta’s squad, which will need to adapt quickly as they prepare for a challenging few weeks ahead.
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