According to Norway’s team doctor, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will be unavailable for at least three weeks due to an ankle injury.
Ola Sand provided an update on Odegaard’s injury, stating that there is probably no fracture in his left ankle. However, a return in less than three weeks would be a bonus.
Following Norway’s Nations League triumph against Austria, Odegaard had to leave the game due to injury. He later returned to London and underwent an MRI scan.
Arsenal has said that manager Mikel Arteta will provide an update during his news conference on Friday before Sunday’s North London derby at Tottenham.
The team doctor, Sand, informed the Norwegian newspaper VG that these types of ankle injuries typically need at least three weeks to recover. Anything else is merely an added bonus, which might extend the duration.
“What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.
“Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach, but this may still take some time. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus.”
Odegaard’s potential three-week absence would result in him missing five Arsenal matches, including the Champions League game against Atalanta and the Premier League match against Manchester City.
The Gunners will have to do without suspended Declan Rice and sidelined Mikel Merino with fractured shoulders for the upcoming north London derby.
Riccardo Calafiori, a summer signing, may not play due to a calf problem suffered in a Nations League match against France. Still, Gabriel Jesus could return soon after recovering from a groin problem.