Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard injured days before north London derby

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the north London derby after captain Martin Odegaard was carried off the pitch in tears after suffering an ankle injury.

Odegaard started for Norway in their Nations League fixture against Austria on Monday night but was left needing treatment 20 minutes into the second half after rolling his ankle in a challenge with Christoph Baumgartner.

In a battle for a loose ball, the RB Leipzig striker’s leg caused Odegaard’s ankle to buckle on landing.

The Arsenal playmaker was clearly in pain and stayed down before receiving treatment on the pitch from Norway’s medical team. The 25-year-old was consoled by countryman and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as he hobbled off the pitch in tears with the help of the physios.

“It looked painful in the dressing room,” Norway manager Stale Solbakken said after the game. “I saw that he was sitting with the physiotherapists around him but he had no chance to continue. We know that it was an ankle sprain and those of us who have played football know with luck it can turn out okay if the ligaments aren’t gone. It is not certain that Arteta will call tonight to praise me.”

Norway team doctor Ola Sand added: “Martin is doing quite well now. He got a small ankle sprain. We will see throughout the evening and tomorrow what happens next and what we will do about it. We will examine him when we are back at the hotel. Maybe we use ultrasound to look at it. If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow.”

If the injury turns out to be serious, Arsenal would be without their captain for the club’s crucial run of games after the international break, starting with the north London derby away at Tottenham this Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side then start their Champions League campaign against Europa League winners Atalanta in Italy before a huge Premier League fixture against title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on September 22.

Odegaard’s suspected injury is another frustrating early-season moment for Arsenal. Declan Rice is suspended for the Spurs clash following his controversial red card against Brighton and new £32 million signing Mikel Merino is sidelined with a fractured shoulder after a collision with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes in his first training session with the club.

In Odegaard’s absence, Norway managed to gain all three points after Haaland grabbed the winner to ensure a 2-1 victory with just 10 minutes to go.

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