Arsenal’s skipper out for a month

Arsenal have been told the extent of their latest injury worries as Norwegian skipper Martin Odegaard has been confirmed out for about three weeks. This was revealed on Wednesday by the Norwegian national team doctor.

Martin Odegaard was injured on Monday in the game between Norway and Austria after he got into a challenge with Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner. The 25-year-old limped off from the victory for Norway but had to fly to North London on Tuesday for an MRI scan.

Norway’s team doctor, Ola Sand, revealed that the former Real Madrid midfielder didn’t seem to fracture his left ankle but also added that his absence would not be less than three weeks.

“Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus and then it can take longer. What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.” Sand told the Norwegian media.

Furthermore, he stated that Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach, but recovering from this injury may still take some time. However, had a fracture happened then his time out will have been around six weeks or more.

Odegaard is set to sit out of five games for Arsenal, weekend’s North London derby including next Thursday’s away Champions League game at Atalanta and their Premier League game at title rivals Manchester City on 22 September.

Arsenal will execute their North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday without Declan Rice who is suspended and summer signing Mikel Merino who is sidelined with a fractured shoulder.

Arsenal’s injury woes go on with Italian defender and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori forced to go off in Friday’s Nations League match between Italy and France with a calf problem. Upfront Gabriel Jesus is on a recovery path but the Gunners can now call on loanee Raheem Sterling.