Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury, sustained during Norway’s Nations League win over Austria, could keep him sidelined for several weeks, according to the Norwegian team doctor. The news comes as a major blow for Arsenal, who are already facing a crucial period in their season.
Odegaard, who has become an integral part of Arsenal’s success in recent years, hobbled off the pitch during the match and was photographed using crutches as he boarded a flight back to London for further scans. The initial assessment revealed no fracture, but the team doctor, Ola Sand, cautioned that the injury is still likely to keep him out for a significant period.
“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer,” Sand stated, highlighting the severity of the injury. “Ankle injuries are very painful right away. With Martin, it was extremely painful. He became very worried. “What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus.”
Odegaard’s absence is a significant setback for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is already dealing with the suspension of midfielder Declan Rice for the Tottenham Hotspur clash. This game is particularly crucial, being a North London derby, and further complicated by the absence of new signing Mikel Merino, who is recovering from a fractured shoulder.
“His response to the rehabilitation in the next few weeks is the most important,” Sand emphasized, outlining the importance of a careful recovery process. “It will start carefully on the bike, carefully in relation to what he can tolerate from pain. Then you take it gradually.”
With Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Atalanta just around the corner, the pressure is on Arteta to find a way to cope without his captain. The extent of Odegaard’s absence will determine the impact on Arsenal’s performance in the coming weeks, and fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for their key player.
