Home » Major blow for Arsenal as Odegaard is injured

Major blow for Arsenal as Odegaard is injured

Arsenal may deal with an major blow as Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle injury in Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria in the UEFA Nations League clash on Monday night.

The Gunner’s captain was forced off in tears when he needed assists to walk out of the pitch. The absolute scene sweats Arsenal’s fans with the North London Derby coming on Sunday, when club football resumes.

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Odegaard’s ankle twisted and it’s not a good sign

The midfielder was said to be carrying a minor knock into the international break, and he should have been protected from further chance of getting any worse during the international break.

However, the Arsenal skipper went on to start both of Norway’s opening fixtures of Nations League this season. And the result was him being forced off 67 minutes into a 2-1 win over Austria.

What happened to Odegaard?

Odegaard twisted his ankle while challenging for a loose ball with RB Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner.

We have just lost Martin Odegaard for our hardest run of the season. I’m done with football, genuinely. Fuck the international break. pic.twitter.com/VYTW9J8GGv

— carter (@ArsenalRetrac) September 9, 2024

After collapsing to the ground, the Norway captain, clearly in pain, pulled his shirt over his face before eventually limping off while assisted by two physios with tears in his eyes.

How serious is the injury?

While it is still too early to decide on how long Odegaard should be out, Arsenal medical staff has immediately been in contact with Norway staff to have the diagnoses and timescales.

So far, the incident certainly didn’t look good for Odegaard, Mikel Arteta, and London side.

The Gunners are already without summer arrival Mikel Merino and the suspended Declan Rice for Sunday’s North London Derby. If Odegaard was to miss out, which looks a distinct possibility, Arteta may well be forced to hand teenager Ethan Nwaneri his first Premier League start.

The 25-year-old has missed nine games for club and country since his arrival midway through the 2020/21 season. There will be fears that he’ll be adding more games to that tally with a busy September upcoming.