Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the injury layoff of midfielder and captain of Arsenal Martin Odegaard.
When Did Martin Odegaard Sustain An Ankle Injury?
Odegaard sustained an ankle injury during his international engagements with Norway in the UEFA Nations League.
Martin Odegaard was withdrawn in the 67th minute of Norway’s 2024/25 UEFA Nations League B Group 3 clash against Austria on September 9, 2024, after he was fouled by RB Leipzig man Christophe Baumgartner.
Norway secured a 2-1 win over the Austrians, but Odegaard picked up a knock which has made him unavailable for action for Arsenal.
The 25-year-old was absent from the Gunners’ 1-0 nervy win over Tottenham Hotspur, and there were initial reports that his injury wasn’t serious and he would recover in quick time.
Mikel Arteta Provides Update On Injury To Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard
However, Arteta has touched on the injury to Martin Odegaard, with the Spaniard sharing in a presser ahead of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League clash with Atalanta on September 19, 2024, that the knock “is serious”.
Mikel Arteta indicated that the former Real Madrid midfielder will be absent for a lengthy period as the damage caused to one of the ligaments in Odegaard’s ankle is quite significant.
Speaking in a pre-match presser regarding the injury to Martin Odegaard, Arteta said: “We will lose Martin Ødegaard for a while”.
“The scans showed he has some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. so it’s something quite significant.”
In responding to questions regarding the timeframe Odegaard could be sidelined, Mikel Arteta said: “Hopefully not months. We will see”.
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard is an influential player at Arsenal, with the Norwegian playing a key role in the Gunners second-place finishes in the past 2 seasons.
Odegaard is the captain of the North London side, having been handed the role by Arteta ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The Norway international has exuded his excellent leadership abilities at Arsenal alongside his impressive creativity, and he is considered one of the best midfielders in the world.
Odegaard is known for his technique, dribbling ability, vision, and range of passing, and Arsenal are expected to feel his absence in the coming matches.
Martin Odegaard At Arsenal
Arsenal initially signed Martin Odegaard on loan on January 27, 2021, for a fee of €2 million, before subsequently securing the midfielder’s services permanently on August 20, 2021, for a fee of €35 million.
Odegaard has made 156 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 35 goals and providing 25 assists across all competitions.
Before he suffered an ankle injury, Martin Odegaard had made 3 appearances for Arsenal this campaign, scoring no goal and providing no assists in all competitions.
Arsenal
Mike Arteta’s side return to league action on September 22, 2024, with an away clash against rivals Manchester City, who sit at the summit of the English Premier League table.
Arsenal, who sit 2nd on the log, will be looking to pick up a favorable result against the Cityzens, as they aim to claim the Premier League crown.
During the pre-match presser for their clash against Atalanta on Thursday, September 19, 2024, Arteta confirmed the availability of two marquee players; Bukayo Saka and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori.
The Gunners will be banking on the brilliance of the pair alongside stars like Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz, amongst others, in their upcoming matches.
