Arsenal have suffered a major setback with captain Martin Odegaard sidelined for at least three weeks due to a “bad” ankle injury, as reported by Sky Sports. The injury occurred during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria, where Odegaard limped off after a reckless challenge by Christoph Baumgartner.
The reports also confirm that Mikel Arteta has revealed Odegaard damaged ankle ligaments while on international duty, stating he’ll be out for a while
This injury is a significant blow to Arsenal, with Odegaard set to miss crucial matches, including Premier League clashes against Tottenham, Manchester City, Leicester City, and potentially Southampton, as well as Champions League ties against Atalanta and PSG. A potential Carabao Cup match against Bolton is also at risk.
Odegaard’s absence as the team’s creative linchpin will be keenly felt, especially given Arsenal’s mounting injury concerns.
Mikel Arteta is already grappling with a depleted squad. New signing Mikel Merino is out for 6-8 weeks with a fractured shoulder, while Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined.
Gabriel Jesus has also missed recent games with a groin injury, compounding Arsenal’s challenges. With Odegaard’s leadership and playmaking central to their campaign, Arteta will be desperate for a swift recovery to maintain Arsenal’s momentum in a demanding season.
The club now faces a critical period, needing to adapt quickly to remain competitive across multiple competitions.