In a major blow for Arsenal, captain Martin Odegaard has emerged as a doubt for Sunday’s North London derby after Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed that his injury picked up on international duty “looks bad”.
The 25-year-old playmaker initially joined up with the national team carrying a knock from the 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, but managed to complete the full 90 minutes in Norway’s opening Nations League match with Kazakhstan (0-0) last Friday.
Odegaard was handed a start in midfield for Norway’s match against Austria on Monday, but his evening was cut short after spraining his ankle midway through the second half following a challenge with Christoph Baumgartner. The Gunners star required treatment on the pitch and was consoled by teammate Erling Haaland before being helped off the field.
Norway were drawing 1-1 with Austria at the time of Odegaard’s exit, but they came away with all three points thanks to Haaland’s match-winning goal.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Solbakken delivered a concerning update on Odegaard’s condition, saying, “It looked bad in the dressing room too. He didn’t have the nerve to continue. It is not certain that Arteta will call me tonight and praise me.”
Norway doctor Ola Sand also shared his views on Odegaard’s injury, stating, “He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it. If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow. Ankle sprains are difficult to deal with straight away, so we almost have to see how things go forward.”
Odegaard has become the second Arsenal player to suffer an injury in this month’s international break, alongside Riccardo Calafiori, who pulled out of the squad with a calf problem. Calafiori’s issue does not appear serious, but he remains a doubt for the North London derby.
Mikel Arteta will also be without Mikel Merino, who is recovering from a shoulder fracture, and Declan Rice, who is serving a one-match ban.
Overall, Arsenal could be without four key players for the crucial clash against Tottenham.