Martin Odegaard admits he feels fortunate to have “got away with” his recent ankle injury, as the Arsenal captain works towards a return to full fitness. The Norwegian midfielder has been sidelined since suffering ligament damage while on international duty in early November, leaving a notable gap in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Initial concerns about the severity of Odegaard’s injury had Arteta hinting that the midfielder could be out for an extended period, potentially beyond the upcoming international break. However, Odegaard has now provided a more hopeful update on his recovery, indicating that the injury wasn’t as severe as initially feared. This news offers some optimism to Arsenal fans as they await the return of their influential captain.
“It was a bad twist to my ankle, and I damaged some ligaments there, but it’s part of football and now I’m just trying to recover as quickly as I can,” Odegaard explained in his programme notes ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash against Bolton. Despite the setback, he is maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on making progress day by day. “I’m moving forward, making progress, and I’m feeling more positive every day. I’m working hard, and my only thought is to get back as soon as possible,” he added.
Odegaard’s injury has been a rare occurrence for the 25-year-old, who has generally managed to avoid long-term fitness issues throughout his career. Reflecting on this, he said, “It’s something I’m not used to. I’ve been quite fortunate, if that’s the word, or have done well to avoid injuries in the past, but this is football, and I have to get on with it.” Despite the frustration, he remains philosophical, acknowledging that the injury could have been worse. “It was not a nice twist, and when it happened, I felt it could be serious. I’ve injured my ankle before, and the pain felt a bit different this time. That’s what scared me, but from what happened, it could have been worse, so in that sense, I got away with it a bit,” he admitted.
In Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal navigated a challenging week unbeaten, securing a North London derby victory over Spurs before drawing with Atalanta and Manchester City. This resilience has been crucial for the Gunners as they prepare for a busy fixture list. Next up is a Premier League clash against Leicester City on Saturday, followed by a high-stakes Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain. Odegaard is all but confirmed to miss both of these matches, placing additional pressure on Arsenal’s squad depth.
Arteta has suggested that Odegaard’s return is still a “matter of weeks” away, potentially setting up the Norwegian for a comeback in the match against Liverpool on October 27. While his absence is certainly felt on the pitch, the midfielder’s commitment to his recovery and positive outlook suggests he’ll be back to bolster Arsenal’s midfield options sooner rather than later. The team’s ability to grind out results in his absence will be key in maintaining their momentum as they wait for their captain’s return.