Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard Suffers an Ankle Injury Just Days Before North London Derby

Arsenal and Norway captain Martin Odegaard was forced off in the second half of Norway’s Nations League tie against Austria due to an apparent ankle injury. Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans will be holding their breath, as the North London Derby takes place in less than five days.

The international break has long been a contentious topic among fans, with many arguing that it disrupts the momentum clubs work so hard to build. Another major concern is the risk of player injuries during these matches—and unfortunately, that's exactly what happened with Martin Odegaard. The Gunners' midfielder had to be carried off in the 67th minute after a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner caught his ankle awkwardly. Despite receiving treatment from the physios for several minutes, Odegaard was unable to continue. 

For Mikel Arteta, this scenario would have been his worst nightmare going into the break, especially with the North London Derby looming on Sunday. Arsenal and Odegaard now face a race against time for his recovery. On the bright side, Odegaard was able to bear weight on his injured ankle, suggesting that the injury might not be too severe. However, further tests and assessments are required to determine the full extent of the damage. As of now, the timeline for his return remains uncertain. Although Norway went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Felix Myhre and Erling Haaland, celebration in the Norse dressing room were muted because of Odegaard’s injury. 

Following the win, Norway boss Stale Solbakken said, “Martin Ødegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room as well.” Norway doctor Ola Sand also offered an update, suggesting further tests will be carried out in the coming hours. As quoted by TV2, he said, “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." 

Martin Odegaard’s injury comes at the worst possible time for Arsenal. Starting from 15th September, the Gunners face the likes of Tottenham, Atalanta, Manchester City and a third-round Carabao Cup tie against Bolton – all crammed into just 12 days. To make matters more challenging, Mikel Arteta is already grappling with the absence of new signing Mikel Merino, sidelined with a shoulder injury, and Declan Rice, who is suspended for the crucial derby against Spurs after a controversial red card against Brighton. It's still early in the season, but Arsenal are already missing some of their most influential players. For Arteta, this is a make-or-break moment. If he wants to keep the Gunners in the title race, he’ll have to expertly juggle the demands of a packed schedule and a depleted squad. It’s the kind of challenge that defines a season—and champions. 

Also Read: France Defeat Belgium to Get Their Nations League Campaign Back on Track