Arsenal have been dealt another injury blow after skipper Martin Ødegaard picked up a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee. Softfootball can confirm that the midfielder is now ruled out of Norway’s upcoming international games against Israel and New Zealand.
The 26-year-old playmaker was forced off in the 30th minute during Arsenal’s 2–0 win over West Ham United on Saturday, following a painful knee-to-knee clash with Crysencio Summerville. It didn’t look too good at the time, and now, the fears have sadly been confirmed.
On Sunday, Arsenal confirmed Ødegaard’s withdrawal from the Norway squad in a statement uploaded on the team’s official website. The club revealed he will stay back in London for assessment and treatment at the Sobha Realty Training Centre throughout the international break.
The statement reads:
Martin Odegaard has been withdrawn from the Norway national team for their upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the first half in Saturday’s win over West Ham United.
Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible.
Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta admitted he was worried about his captain. It’s the third time this season Ødegaard has been subbed off before halftime due to injury, having earlier missed matches against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest with shoulder problems.
In an earlier article, Softfootball predicts that Arsenal will win the Premier League, and despite the injury of Ødegaard,thretning to derail that claim, Arsenal’s huge £250 million summer investment, including the £60 million signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, might soften the blow a bit. Eze is now expected to take on the creative responsibility in the midfield while Ødegaard recovers.
Although there’s no exact return date yet, MCL injuries can take anywhere from one to six weeks depending on the grade of damage. Further scans will provide more clarity in the coming days. Arsenal face Fulham away on October 18, and fans will be eager for positive news before then.
