Arsenal have been dealt another injury blow during the international break as Martin Odegaard was hauled off against Austria.
There were concerns over the Arsenal captain’s fitness prior to the game, as Norway manager Stale Solbakken revealed that Odegaard was carrying an injury.
Mikel Arteta’s captain started for Norway in their first Nations League fixture against Kazakhstan regardless of concerns, and was in action again against Austria.
With just a matter of days before the North London derby, Arsenal were dealt a devastating blow as Odegaard hobbled off after a horror injury during his country’s victory.
- READ MORE: Norway national team’s doctor issues update on Arsenal star Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury
Experts share early verdict on Martin Odegaard’s injury
It’s been an anxious week for Arsenal, as Riccardio Calafiori has also raised concern after withdrawing from international duty.
The Italian suffered a knock against France and hasn’t trained since, adding to Arteta’s list of potential absences for the clash against Spurs.
With Odegaard, things look more sinister from an outside perspective, as the midfielder’s ankle was seen to freakishly roll beneath him.
- READ MORE: What Arsenal’s medical team did ‘immediately’ after seeing Martin Odegaard’s nasty injury
While the injury looked terrible to those watching, experts have shared their early insight into what type of blow the Arsenal skipper might have suffered.
Although it is too early to tell, a football injury analyst took to X to share their view on the injury, that was called a “small ankle sprain” by the Norway dressing room.
“Typically, a small ankle sprain facilitates a quick recovery of less than a week. The fact that staff are also unsure about using an MRI to confirm the injury, is an indication that the injury is not severe.
“Pretty optimistic it’s a quicker recovery due to the “small ankle sprain” comment. Odegaard is likely to be fit for the North London derby, but it all depends on how fast it settles.”
Another valuable insight came from Dr Rajpal Brar, a Doctor Physical Therapy, Fitness & Movement coach, who admitted that from the early signs he’s “hoping for the best”.
“Looks like left ankle inversion (lateral ankle sprain) for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Hard to tell severity of these based on video or pain response but at best case (grade 1), he’s day to day and race to fitness for the NLD.
“Was able to walk off which very likely rules out fibular fracture. Awaiting more info & hoping for the best.”
Arsenal have a waiting game with Odegaard
Sometimes in football, it’s the more severe injuries that look minor and vice versa although, it’s impossible to determine what has happened to Odegaard at this moment.
Arsenal are awaiting further tests on their captain to put a plan into place regarding his recovery, with all eyes on Sunday’s North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Many are furious over the decision to let Odegaard play the two Nations League fixtures for Norway, considering the fact that he was carrying a knock following Arsenal’s draw with Brighton.
For now, all the Gunners can do is wait and plan for the derby with or without their captain, in what could be a huge blow.
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