Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will likely be out for “a time period” with a “fairly critical” ligament damage, supervisor Mikel Arteta mentioned.
A distraught Odegaard wanted assist off the pitch in the course of the second half of Norway’s Nations League win over Norway and was substituted after struggling a sprained ankle. Austria in Oslo earlier this month.
The 25-year-old missed Arsenal’s north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur and can now spend an unspecified interval on the sidelines forward of a visit to champions Manchester Metropolis on Sunday – reside Sky Sports activities.
Sunday, September 22, 4:00 pm
Begins at 4:30 pm
Talking forward of Thursday’s Champions League opener in opposition to Atalanta, Arteta mentioned: “After a current scan, it confirmed that he has some harm, significantly to a ligament in his ankle. It is a vital factor, so we Will lose him for some time.
Arsenal’s efficiency will likely be boosted on Sunday when Declan Rice returns to midfield after the league suspension, however they’re nonetheless with out Mikel Merino.
Watch Manchester Metropolis vs Arsenal reside on Sky Sports activities subsequent Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm
Why Arsenal cannot afford to lose Odegaard
Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:
There may be one participant within the Arsenal staff that they can’t reside with out, and that’s the captain Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian midfielder is the guts of the staff and his world-class high quality each on and off the ball shouldn’t be solely important to Arteta’s aspect however can’t be discovered elsewhere within the squad.
Odegaard was probably the most artistic participant within the Premier League final season, with the Arsenal captain averaging 11.17 anticipated assists. The one participant who got here shut was teammate Bukayo Saka, who scored 11 factors.
figurative
Nevertheless it’s his function in Arsenal’s urgent that makes Odegaard so necessary. No participant received extra possessions within the remaining third final season, whereas solely 5 gamers endured extra strain, leading to turnovers, than the Gunners midfielder.
It isn’t a perfect scenario for Arsenal, who’ve a visit to Atalanta after which Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis within the subsequent 4 days.
They’ve already misplaced to Brighton this season and will not need to make one other mistake in a brutal title race in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.
Atlanta (visitor) – Champions League – Thursday 19 September
Manchester Metropolis (visitor) – Premier League – Sunday twenty second September
Bolton (residence) – League Cup – Wednesday twenty fifth September
Leicester Metropolis (residence) – Premier League – Saturday 28 September
Paris Saint-Germain (Male) – Champions League – Tuesday 1 October
Southampton (residence) – Premier League – Saturday 5 October
