Martin Odegaard a doubt for Tottenham clash as Arsenal star is carried off pitch

Martin Odegaard has given Arsenal fans more reason to worry as he limped off the pitch with injury.

The Gunners captain was playing in Norway’s UEFA Nations League clash with Austria when he was involved in an awkward clash with Christoph Baumgartner on Monday night.

Challenging for the ball, Odegaard suffered a painful injury as he went over on his ankle, leading to a lengthy stoppage.

In this time Man City star Erling Haaland was among a number of concerned teammates who came to check on the Arsenal man.

As a result, the playmaker was left with no choice but to leave the action with two members of Norway’s medical team propped him up as he hobbled off the pitch.

Clearly in some discomfort, Odegaard looked upset as he made his way off the pitch.

Norway coach Ola Solbakken said after the match: “Martin Odegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room as well,” joking that he is unlikely to hear good things from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Meanwhile, Norway doctor Ola Sand added: “He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it.

“If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow”

His absence didn’t hamper Norway too much, however, with Haaland scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.

The sight will, however, be a worry for Arsenal fans as they prepare for Sunday’s north London derby with Tottenham.

2

Arteta is already without Declan Rice, who is suspended, while Riccardo Calafiori left the Italy camp with a freak injury.

Another new signing, Mikel Merino is also out, with the £32m summer transfer nursing a shoulder injury.

And now Odegaard’s injury may force Arteta to experiment with his starting line-up against Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The 25-year-old has started all three Premier League games so far this season. Since arriving at the club from Real Madrid in 2021, Odegaard has proven himself to be one of Arsenal’s key men.

In 156 appearances, he has scored 35 goals and offered 25 assists along the way.

That includes an impressive tally of 11 goals and 11 assists last term.

Arsenal will be determined to continue their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 season when they head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Having won 3-2 in their last outing there, Arteta’s side will be desperate to get another positive result this time around.

Postecoglu has had injury concerns of his own with striker Dominic Solanke missing the previous two games.

The manager said he and defender Micky van de Ven were close to playing in the defeat to Newcastle before the international break so may be fit for the derby.