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Martin Odegaard was injured during Norway's match against Austria.
Arsenal captain Martin faces a significant spell on the sidelines following an ankle injury sustained during Norway's 2-1 victory over Austria on September 9, 2024.
The injury occurred in the 67th minute of the match, and Ødegaard had to be substituted due to the severity of the sprain.
Norwegian team doctor Ola Sand initially described Ødegaard’s injury as a "small ankle sprain," but noted the difficulty in assessing the full extent of the damage right away.
"Ankle sprains are difficult to deal with straight away," Sand said. "We will see how things go forward. We might use ultrasound or an MRI to get a clearer picture."
Despite the preliminary diagnosis, Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken conceded that the injury "looks bad," further heightening concerns about Ødegaard's availability. "It looked bad in the dressing room too," Solbakken remarked. "He didn’t have the nerve to continue."
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11:30 - 11.09.2024
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Reports from Norway suggest that Ødegaard could be sidelined for approximately one month.
This would be a considerable setback for Arsenal, who are already facing challenges with squad depth.
The Gunners will miss Ødegaard’s leadership and creativity at a crucial juncture in their campaign.
Matches Ødegaard will miss
Ødegaard's absence will impact several key fixtures for Arsenal. The midfielder is set to miss the following matches:
1. September 19, 2024: UEFA Champions League Group Stage opener against Atalanta BC.
2. September 22, 2024: Premier League clash with Manchester City.
3. September 25, 2024: EFL Cup third-round match against Bolton Wanderers.
4. September 28, 2024: Premier League fixture against Leicester City.
5. October 1, 2024: Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
6. October 5, 2024: Premier League game against Southampton.
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21:50 - 10.09.2024
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In addition to these fixtures, Ødegaard is also expected to miss Arsenal's North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on September 15, 2024, and potentially their match against Bournemouth after the October international break, depending on his recovery progress.
This period will test Arsenal's squad depth, particularly with Declan Rice also side-lined due to suspension and new signing Mikel Merino still recovering from a shoulder issue.
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14:00 - 11.09.2024
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Ødegaard's absence highlights the challenges facing Arsenal as they navigate a busy fixture list and seek to maintain their competitive form across multiple competitions.
The club will be hoping for a swift recovery and a return to fitness for Ødegaard as they approach the critical stages of the season.
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