Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard Faces Weeks Out with Ankle Injury
Arsenal fans have been dealt a significant blow as captain Martin Odegaard may be sidelined for several weeks after sustaining a right ankle injury. The incident occurred during Norway’s 2-1 victory over Austria in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.
The Norwegian national team doctor, Ola Sand, shared concerning news about Odegaard’s condition. “Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer,” Sand explained. “Ankle injuries are very painful right away. With Martin, it was extremely painful. He became very worried.”
Odegaard was seen using crutches as he boarded a plane back to London for further medical assessments. The initial MRI scans suggest that there is no fracture. “What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle,” Sand added. “In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus. His response to the rehabilitation in the next few weeks is the most important.”
The timing of Odegaard’s injury couldn’t be worse for Arsenal, who are facing a challenging fixture list in the coming weeks. The Gunners are set to visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London Derby on Sunday. Following that, they will travel to Italy to face Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League on September 19. Just three days later, Arsenal will take on reigning English champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Adding to Arsenal’s woes, star midfielder Declan Rice is unavailable for the Tottenham match due to suspension, and recent signing Mikel Merino has suffered a shoulder fracture. The absence of key players raises concerns about Arsenal’s depth and ability to navigate this tough period.
Arsenal supporters worldwide are anxiously awaiting updates on Odegaard’s recovery. His leadership and creativity on the pitch have been instrumental in the team’s recent performances. The coming weeks will test the resilience of the squad as they aim to maintain their momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
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Arsenal captain Odegaard may be sidelined for weeks with ankle injury
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