Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that club captain Martin Odegaard is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a “quite significant” ankle ligament injury. The Norwegian midfielder picked up the injury during Norway’s Nations League clash against Austria on Monday, September 9, leaving both his national team and Arsenal anxious over his fitness.
Odegaard, 25, limped off after being fouled by Austrian midfielder Christoph Baumgartner in the second half of the match. Despite his efforts to continue, it quickly became clear that the injury was serious enough to prevent him from finishing the game. The sight of Arsenal’s influential captain hobbling off the pitch sent shockwaves through the Gunners’ camp, as Odegaard has been pivotal to the team’s impressive form this season.
The Incident Amid Injury
The injury occurred after Odegaard was brought down following a tackle from Baumgartner. Martin Odegaard left ankle twisted awkwardly under the challenge, and he was left writhing in pain on the pitch. While he initially attempted to continue, the discomfort was too much, and he was substituted shortly after.
Mikel Arteta, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League clash against Atalanta, confirmed the news many feared: the scan revealed ligament damage in Odegaard’s left ankle. While it’s not yet clear how long he will be out, Arteta’s tone suggested it will be a significant period.
Arteta’s Update to Odegaard
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided an update on Odegaard’s condition: “The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle, so we are going to miss him. It’s something quite significant, so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months, but it’s too early to give a precise timeline.”
Arteta’s cautious optimism about the injury not sidelining Odegaard for “months” is a slight relief for Arsenal fans, but the uncertainty of the recovery process for ligament injuries remains a concern.
Odegaard’s Importance to Arsenal
This season, Odegaard has been in stellar form, orchestrating Arsenal’s attacking play with his vision, creativity, and intelligent positioning. His leadership has been vital in Arsenal’s resurgence, particularly in their efforts to challenge for the Premier League title and compete in the Champions League.
His ability to link midfield and attack, combined with his knack for scoring crucial goals, makes him irreplaceable in Arsenal’s current setup. In the past few seasons, Odegaard has also developed into one of the most reliable performers in the squad, rarely missing games due to injury. This new setback, therefore, presents a significant challenge for Arsenal as they aim to maintain their momentum without their talismanic captain.
A Blow Ahead of Crucial Fixtures
Odegaard’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Arsenal. With the north London derby against Tottenham looming, the Gunners were without their captain in their 1-0 win at Spurs.
The Champions League group stages are a critical period for Arsenal, as they look to navigate through a tough set of fixtures in Europe’s elite competition. Arteta will now have to find a way to cope without Odegaard’s leadership and creativity, relying on the depth of his squad to fill the void.
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