Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Confirms Martin Odegaard's Ankle Injury Will Keep Him Out For Some Time

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Mikel Arteta has announced that Arsenal's captain, Martin Odegaard, will be sidelined for a significant period due to an ankle injury. The 25-year-old sustained this injury during Norway's Nations League match against Austria in Oslo on September 9. After the game, he returned to London using crutches and missed Arsenal's recent 1-0 derby win over Tottenham.

The scans revealed damage to one of Odegaard's ankle ligaments, according to Arteta. "It's something quite significant so we're going to lose him for a while," Arteta stated on Wednesday. Although the manager hopes the absence won't stretch into months, he remains cautious about predicting a timeline.

Odegaard has been instrumental for Arsenal, rarely missing games over the past three seasons. His absence is expected to be a major setback for the team. Arteta expressed how crucial Odegaard is by saying, "He's our captain. He's been one of the biggest and best players in our team." The team's identity is closely tied to Odegaard's style and leadership.

Arsenal currently sits second in the league, trailing Manchester City by two points. With their opening Champions League match against Atalanta approaching, the team faces a challenge in adapting without their influential midfielder.

Norway's coach, Stale Solbakken, shared with VG newspaper that he is fully informed about Odegaard's condition and is preparing for his absence. "We have to take it week by week and day by day," Solbakken mentioned, acknowledging that recovery times can vary significantly depending on the injury type.

This situation presents a test for Arsenal as they must adapt and showcase resilience without their captain. The team will need to demonstrate versatility and strength in his absence as they navigate upcoming fixtures.