Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard, is set to be out of action until mid-November due to a knee injury. The midfielder suffered a medial collateral ligament injury during the Gunners' victory over West Ham on 4 October and had to be substituted during the first half.
The day after the match, Arsenal released an official statement confirming that Odegaard would miss the current international window. However, they did not provide a specific timeline for his recovery. It has now been revealed that the 26-year-old will remain unavailable until after the next round of international fixtures in mid-November.
Odegaard's absence will have significant implications for both domestic and international matches. He is expected to miss Premier League games against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland. Additionally, he will also sit out Champions League matches against Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague. This news comes as a blow to manager Mikel Arteta who heavily relies on Odegaard’s contributions in midfield.
Season plagued by injuries
The start of this season has been challenging for Odegaard due to recurring injuries. He was forced off in the first half of three consecutive Premier League matches which disrupted his performance rhythm significantly.
Arsenal faces their north London rivals Tottenham immediately after next month's international break. Whether or not Odegaard can recover in time for this crucial derby on 23 November remains uncertain at this point.
Norway’s World Cup qualification journey
In related news from international football scene, Norway took a significant step towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup last Saturday with an impressive 5-0 win over Israel.
Should they qualify for next summer's competition; it would mark their first appearance at an international tournament since 2000. Odegaard, being a key player for Norway, his fitness and form will be crucial in their World Cup journey.
While Odegaard's injury is a setback for both Arsenal and Norway, fans are hopeful that he will make a strong comeback post-recovery. His return to the field will undoubtedly boost both his club and national team's performance.
