Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to miss significant playing time after suffering a serious ankle ligament injury while on international duty with Norway. Initial assessments suggested a three-week absence, but further scans have revealed the injury is more severe than first feared.
Odegaard injured his ankle in a nasty fall during Norway’s recent match, prompting concern for both club and country. After undergoing multiple scans and consulting specialists, it was confirmed that the damage to his ankle ligaments will keep the 25-year-old out for the foreseeable future. Although Norway’s team doctor initially predicted a shorter recovery time, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta indicated that the situation is more complex and that Odegaard’s return to the pitch is uncertain.
Arteta addressed the seriousness of the injury ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League clash against Atalanta in Bergamo. “After everything was scanned, the scan showed he has got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle,” said Arteta. “We are going to miss him. I don’t want to give a timeline because I am not a doctor, but it is something quite significant. Hopefully not months, but let’s see.”
Odegaard’s absence presents a significant challenge for Arsenal, particularly with crucial fixtures ahead. The midfielder will miss the Atalanta match and the much-anticipated Premier League showdown against Manchester City on Sunday. Arteta, however, remains optimistic that the team can cope without their captain, stating that other players must step up to fill the void.
“He is our captain, he is one of our biggest players without a doubt,” Arteta said. “Our identity is very related to his way of playing and his way of behaving. We are going to have to deal with that. That is a great test for the team as well, of how capable we are to show maybe a different face and the fact we have other players and other options that can still be very effective.”
In Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal’s midfield will face additional strain, especially with new signing Mikel Merino also sidelined due to a shoulder injury. However, the Gunners will welcome the return of Declan Rice, who is expected to start against Atalanta after serving a suspension. Rice’s return will provide some stability to a midfield unit that has been dealing with a number of injuries.
Odegaard’s injury could open up more opportunities for Arsenal’s emerging talents, including 17-year-old playmaker Ethan Nwaneri. The teenager has impressed in pre-season and recently made a brief appearance in the north London derby against Tottenham, helping Arsenal secure a 1-0 win. Nwaneri’s growing involvement in the first team suggests that Arteta may rely on his youthful energy to help fill the creative gap left by Odegaard.
In addition to Odegaard and Merino, Arsenal are also managing injuries to several key defenders. Left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko remains sidelined with a calf issue, while long-term absentees Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney continue their recovery. On a more positive note, Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has returned to training after missing the derby with an injury sustained during international duty.
Arsenal will also face a familiar opponent in their Champions League opener, as former defender Sead Kolasinac lines up for Atalanta. Kolasinac, who left Arsenal in 2022 after his contract was terminated, expressed excitement about facing his former club. “I’m happy to see my old team-mates again, it’s special,” said Kolasinac. “They have great players, are solid in defence and very dangerous at set-pieces. We are up against a team with an excellent shape, who can press high while remaining compact.”
As Arsenal prepare for these crucial matches, the absence of Odegaard will undoubtedly be felt. His leadership, creativity, and consistency have been key to Arsenal’s success in recent seasons, and Arteta will need to find new solutions to maintain the team’s momentum. With key games against Atalanta and Manchester City looming, the Gunners will have to demonstrate their depth and resilience to overcome this significant setback.