Arsenal have been given a potentially catastrophic blow just six days before their derby against Tottenham, after Martin Odegaard was hurt on Norway duty.
The playmaker injured his ankle after a sliding tackle from Christoph Baumgartner and was replaced 67 minutes into Norway’s 2-1 Nations League victory against Austria on Monday night.
He appeared to be in agony as he rolled on the floor, requiring assistance from a physio on either side as he shuffled away, writhing in pain and fighting back tears.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who scored the goal in the 80th minute, was among the teammates who consoled Odegaard by patting him on the back as he hobbled away.
‘Martin Odegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room,’ said Norway head coach Stale Solbakken.
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Martin Odegaard was taken off with an ankle injury on Norway duty in a blow for Arsenal
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The midfielder appeared to be in agony after a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner
Depending on the severity of the injury, Mikel Arteta could be left with a major midfield headache.
Declan Rice is suspended for the match following his contentious red card against Brighton, while £33 million summer acquisition Mikel Merino is also sidelined.
Merino fractured his shoulder during his first training session, leaving Arteta with Thomas Partey and Jorginho to start in midfield against Tottenham.
A broader injury crisis is emerging for the Gunners, who are also mourning the freak injury of £42 million man Riccardo Calafiori.
The left-back has departed Italy’s international camp after suffering an ankle injury when Ousmane Dembele accidently studded him following a challenge by Alessandro Bastoni.
Arsenal are fourth in the rankings after two victories and a draw, while Tottenham have four points from three matches.
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Mikel Arteta is facing a mountain issue after blows to Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori
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Norway went on to win the match 2-1 but there were huge concerns for Odegaard
In addition to Spurs, they will visit Manchester City in the Premier League, host Atalanta in the Champions League, and play Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.
After two seasons of falling behind City in the league, Arteta does not need an early-season injury crisis.
‘FFS he’s completely rolled his ankle, that looked painful,’ wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
‘Merino, Rice, now Odegaard. Centre mids gonna be Partey & Jorginho for the NLD,’ another predicted.