Odegaard set to miss Spurs and Man City clashes after Norway injury

Martin Odegaard is set to miss three weeks of Premier League action – including this weekend’s north London derby – after sustaining an ankle injury on international duty, according to Norway’s team doctor Ola Sand.

Odegaard was forced to withdraw from Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria in the Nations League on Monday after colliding with fellow midfielder Christoph Baumgartner.

The 25-year-old has since returned to London for further assessment, but looks likely to miss the Gunners’ important league fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta is already without Declan Rice for this weekend’s trip to Spurs following his red card against Brighton and Hove Albion.

And while no time frame has been officially confirmed by Arteta, Sand believed Odegaard would need a few weeks to recover.

“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus, and then it can take longer,” he told Norwegian newspaper VG.

“What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.

“It is always a bit difficult to interpret an MRI scan when you have had an old injury, but Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach, but this may still take some time.

“In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus.”

Big month ahead pic.twitter.com/flofve8uh2

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 11, 2024

Odegaard would also miss Arsenal’s first Champions League fixture away to Atalanta on September 19, as the Gunners look to improve on their quarter-final run in last season’s competition.

The Gunners captain is yet to register a goal or an assist this term, but has again proved influential for Arteta, with his five chances created, a total only bettered by Bukayo Saka (eight) in the first three games of the new season.

As well as missing Odegaard and Rice, Arteta will be sweating on the fitness of summer signing Riccardo Calafiori after he was replaced in Italy’s 3-1 win over France last week with a calf injury.

Fellow arrival Mikel Merino is sidelined after sustaining a fractured shoulder, though there could be a return to the side for Gabriel Jesus after recovering from a groin issue.