Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard out ‘for a while’ with ankle injury, says Mikel Arteta
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Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard has become a key player for Arsenal and a lengthy absence will come as a huge blow.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a big problem on his hands ahead of the vital English Premier League top-of-the-table clash with rivals Manchester City on Sept 22.
He confirmed on Sept 18 that captain Martin Odegaard will be out “for a while”, after suffering a significant ankle injury while the midfielder was on international duty for Norway last week.
The 25-year-old hobbled off during his country’s Nations League 2-1 defeat of Austria in Oslo on Sept 9, and returned to London on crutches.
Odegaard then missed the 1-0 north London derby win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sept 15, and Arteta provided an update ahead of Arsenal’s opening Champions League game against Atalanta in Bergamo on Sept 19. That game kicked off after press time.
“The scans showed that he’s got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. It’s something quite significant, so we’re going to lose him for a while,” said the Spaniard.
Arteta, whose side are second in the league and two points behind City, added that he hoped Odegaard would not be out for months, “but let’s see”.
Odegaard has become a key player for Arsenal, missing only a handful of games over the last three seasons, and a lengthy absence will come as a huge blow.
“He’s our captain. He’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team,” continued Arteta.
“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 fact (is) we have other players and other options that can be very effective.”
Norway coach Stale Solbakken told VG newspaper he had been fully updated about the injury and was “preparing for a life without Martin”.
“We have to take it week by week and day by day. Some types of damage go faster and some go slower,” he said.
In better news for the Gunners, Odegaard’s fellow midfielder Declan Rice will be back for the City clash after he missed the Tottenham game due to suspension.
REUTERS
