Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard faces a potential extended absence following a severe ankle injury sustained during international duty.
The 25-year-old was forced off in the second half of Norway’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Austria on Monday night, twisting his ankle at an alarming angle while competing with Christoph Baumgartner for a loose ball.
Ødegaard received treatment on the pitch before being substituted, and Norway manager Ståle Solbakken described the injury as concerning: “It looked bad in the dressing room.
He was attended to by physiotherapists, but he had no chance of continuing. It is an ankle sprain, and while there is hope if the ligaments are not torn, we are unsure.”
Norway team doctor Ola Sand confirmed the injury as a minor ankle sprain and indicated further assessments would be needed: “We will observe how it progresses and may use ultrasound or MRI to determine the extent of the injury.”
The timing of Ødegaard’s injury is particularly problematic for Arsenal, who face a challenging schedule ahead.
They are set to return to Premier League action on Sunday against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a Champions League match against Atalanta and a tough away fixture at Manchester City.
Arsenal are already missing key midfielder Declan Rice due to suspension and summer signing Mikel Merino with a shoulder issue.
