Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, is facing a prolonged period on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty with Norway. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, provided an update on the midfielder’s condition during a press conference on Wednesday, confirming that Odegaard will be unavailable “for a while” due to the severity of the injury.
The incident occurred during Norway’s Nations League match against Austria earlier in the month when Odegaard twisted his ankle in what appeared to be a routine challenge. However, after medical scans were conducted, it became clear that the injury was more significant than initially feared. The national team’s doctor had initially speculated that the 24-year-old playmaker would be out for at least three weeks, but Arteta indicated that the recovery period might extend beyond that.
“After everything was scanned, they showed that there was some damage, especially in one of the ligaments in the ankle, so we’re going to miss him,” Arteta explained. He expressed his concern over the uncertainty of Odegaard’s return, noting that while he hopes the injury won’t keep the midfielder out for months, it remains difficult to predict at this stage. “I don’t want to put a timeframe on it because I’m not a doctor, but it is something quite significant, so we’re going to lose him for a while—hopefully not months, but let’s see.”
Odegaard’s injury comes at a challenging time for Arsenal as they prepare to embark on a demanding stretch of fixtures across multiple competitions, including the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners are set to face Atalanta in their Champions League opener on Thursday, a match in which Odegaard’s creative influence in midfield will be sorely missed. As Arsenal’s captain and one of their key players, Odegaard’s absence leaves a gap in the team, particularly in terms of leadership and playmaking ability.
Arsenal’s injury woes are compounded by the fact that they will also face reigning Premier League champions Manchester City this weekend. Arteta’s side will travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for a crucial early-season showdown, with Arsenal currently sitting second in the league table, just two points behind City. The Gunners secured a narrow 1-0 victory over their North London rivals Tottenham last weekend, maintaining their strong start to the season. However, the absence of Odegaard, who has been instrumental in Arsenal’s attacking play, will make their task against Manchester City all the more difficult.
Odegaard has been a central figure in Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta, guiding the team to a second-place finish in the Premier League last season. His vision, technical ability, and knack for scoring key goals have made him a fan favorite at the Emirates Stadium. His role as captain has also added an extra dimension to his importance within the squad, making his injury a significant blow not only to Arsenal’s midfield but also to the team’s morale.
While Arteta refrained from offering a detailed timeline for Odegaard’s return, the uncertainty surrounding ligament injuries suggests that the midfielder could be sidelined for several weeks. Such injuries often require a cautious approach to recovery, with players needing to ensure that they regain full strength and mobility in the affected area before returning to full training and match action.
In the meantime, Arsenal will need to rely on the depth of their squad to compensate for Odegaard’s absence. The likes of Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, and Emile Smith Rowe may be called upon to fill the creative void left by the Norwegian, while Granit Xhaka and Declan Rice will be tasked with anchoring the midfield and maintaining Arsenal’s solid defensive structure.
Arteta’s ability to navigate this challenging period without his captain will be crucial in determining Arsenal’s fortunes in the coming weeks. With tough fixtures on the horizon and the pressure of competing on multiple fronts, the Gunners will need to demonstrate resilience and adaptability if they are to maintain their strong start to the season and keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
For Arsenal fans, the hope will be that Odegaard’s recovery goes smoothly and that the captain can return to action sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the team will need to rally together and continue their push for success in both domestic and European competitions.
