Arsenal have been given a potentially catastrophic blow just six days before their derby against Tottenham, with Martin Odegaard hurt on Norway duty.
After a sliding tackle from Christoph Baumgartner, the playmaker sustained an ankle injury and was replaced 67 minutes into Norway’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Austria on Monday night.
He appeared to be in agony as he rolled on the floor, requiring assistance from a physio on either side as he shuffled away, writhing in pain and fighting back tears.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who scored the winning goal in the 80th minute, consoled Odegaard by slapping him on the back as he hobbled away.
“Martin Odegaard’s injury appeared bad in the dressing room,” stated Norway’s head coach, Stale Solbakken.
Martin Odegaard was taken off with an ankle injury on Norway duty in a blow for Arsenal
The midfielder appeared to be in agony after a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner
Erling Haaland was among the players that consoled Odegaard, who appeared to be in tears.
National team doctor Ola Sand told TV2 that he had a minor ankle strain. We’ll see; maybe we’ll employ ultrasound to look into it.
“If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow.”
Depending on the severity of the injury, Mikel Arteta could be left with a major midfield headache.
Declan Rice is suspended for the match after receiving a dubious red card against Brighton, while £33 million summer acquisition Mikel Merino is also sidelined.
Merino fractured his shoulder during his first training session, leaving Arteta with Thomas Partey and Jorginho to start in midfield against Tottenham.
A broader injury crisis is emerging for the Gunners, who are also mourning the freak injury of £42 million man Riccardo Calafiori.
The left-back has departed Italy’s international camp because to an ankle injury sustained after Ousmane Dembele accidently studded him during a challenge by Alessandro Bastoni.
Arsenal are fourth in the rankings after two victories and a draw, while Tottenham have four points from three matches.
Mikel Arteta is facing a mountain issue after blows to Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori
Norway went on to win the match 2-1 but there were huge concerns for Odegaard
In addition to Spurs, they will go to Manchester City in the Premier League, host Atalanta in the Champions League, and face Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.
After two seasons of falling short of City in the league, an early-season injury crisis is the last thing Arteta needs.
‘FFS he’s fully rolled his ankle, that looked terrible,’ commented one admirer on X (previously Twitter).
Merino, Rice, and now Odegaard. Another prediction is that Partey and Jorginho will be the NLD’s center midfielders.
‘We’re done,’ remarked one.