Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard has suffered a “quite significant” ankle ligament injury.
The 25-year-old midfielder sustained the injury during Norway’s Nations League match against Austria on Monday, September 9.
Martin Odegaard limped off the pitch after a foul by Christoph Baumgartner, clutching his left ankle in pain. He returned to Arsenal for an MRI scan, missing his side’s crucial 1-0 win against Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday.
“The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle, so we are going to miss him,” said Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League fixture against Atalanta on Thursday. “It’s something quite significant, so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months.”
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Odegaard’s absence is a major blow for Arsenal, as he has been instrumental in the team’s midfield. His injury means he will miss not only the trip to Italy but also the vital Premier League clash against leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
“He’s our captain,” Arteta added. “He’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team. Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It’s a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face.”
The Gunners will now need to navigate a challenging period without their influential captain as they look to continue their strong start to the season.
