Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard Sidelined with Significant Ankle Injury, Confirms Mikel Arteta

Arsenal is set to be without their captain Martin Odegaard for an extended period, as confirmed by manager Mikel Arteta. The Norwegian midfielder sustained a significant ankle ligament injury while on international duty with Norway last week. Odegaard was seen on crutches after the game against Austria, sparking concerns among fans. Norway’s coach, Stale Solbakken, had hinted at the severity of the injury, which has now been confirmed as serious.

In a recent press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Atalanta, Arteta shared the unfortunate news, stating that scans revealed significant ligament damage. This injury rules Odegaard out for several key fixtures. Arteta emphasized the impact of Odegaard’s absence, calling him one of Arsenal’s most important players and highlighting how integral the midfielder is to the team’s playing style and leadership on the pitch.

Odegaard’s injury comes at a challenging time for the Gunners, as they face a packed schedule with matches against Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea on the horizon. Despite the setback, Arteta expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and encouraged his players to rise to the occasion in Odegaard’s absence. While the exact timeframe for his return remains uncertain, the Arsenal boss is hopeful it won’t be a prolonged absence.

The injury is a significant blow for Arsenal, who now need to find a temporary solution to fill the creative gap left by Odegaard. Arteta may look to Leandro Trossard or young academy star Ethan Nwaneri to step into the playmaker role as the team prepares for a demanding stretch of fixtures.