The Norwegian national team doctor had bad news for Arsenal fans as it was announced that the The Gunners captain Martin Odegaard may not be able to play for weeks after suffering an injury to his right ankle. The injury came during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.
“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer,” medic Ola Sand said. “Ankle injuries are very painful right away. With Martin, it was extremely painful. He became very worried.”
Odegaard was spotted using crutches to board a plane back to London for further scans to reveal the extent of the injury.
“What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle,” Sand added. “In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus. His response to the rehabilitation in the next few weeks is the most important. It will start carefully on the bike, carefully in relation to what he can tolerate from pain. Then you take it gradually.”
Arsenal are looking at a very challenging schedule in the coming two weeks. They will first visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to play Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday and then face Atalanta on the road in the UEFA Champions League on September 19. Three days after that, the club will challenge the reigning English champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Odegaard aside, Arsenal’s star midfielder Declan Rice will not play against Tottenham because of suspension, and newly-signed Mikel Merino has suffered a shoulder fracture.
