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Arsenal have suffered a potentially catastrophic blow just six days before their derby against Tottenham as Martin Odegaard has picked up an injury while away with Norway.
The attacking midfielder suffered an ankle injury following a challenge from Christoph Baumgartner and was taken off in the 67th minute of Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria in the Nations League on Monday night.
He appeared to be in agony as he rolled on the ground and had to be assisted by a physiotherapist on either side as he limped around, grimacing in pain and fighting back tears.
Manchester City star Erling Haaland, who scored the winner in the 80th minute, was among the team-mates who consoled Odegaard by patting him on the back as he limped away.
“Martin Odegaard’s injury left a bad impression in the dressing room,” said Norway coach Stale Solbakken.
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard has been dealt a blow by a sprained ankle in Norway.
The midfielder appeared to be in agony after a challenge from Christoph Baumgartner.
Erling Haaland was among the players who consoled Odegaard, who appeared to be in tears.
The national team doctor, Ola Sand, told TV2: “He has a slight sprain in his ankle. We will see, maybe we will use an ultrasound to examine him.”
“If we are not sure, we will have an MRI tomorrow.”
Depending on the severity of the injury, it could leave Mikel Arteta with a major headache in midfield.
Declan Rice is suspended for the clash following his controversial red card against Brighton, while £33million summer signing Mikel Merino is also injured.
Merino suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training session, meaning Arteta could stick with Thomas Partey and Jorginho as starters in midfield against Spurs.
A wider injury crisis is taking shape for the Gunners, who are also mourning the freak injury of £42million man Riccardo Calafiori.
The left-back left Italy’s international training camp after suffering a knock to the ankle when Ousmane Dembélé accidentally stepped on it following a challenge from Alessandro Bastoni.
Arsenal sit fourth in the table after two wins and a draw, while Tottenham have four points after their three games.
Mikel Arteta faces a problem in the mountains after knocks to Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori
Norway won the match 2-1, but Odegaard had big worries.
As well as Spurs, they face a trip to Manchester City in the Premier League, host Atalanta in the Champions League and face Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.
After two seasons in which they failed to catch Metropolis in the league, an early-season injury emergency was the last thing Arteta needed.
“Oh my god he completely twisted his ankle and it looked painful,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
“Merino, Rice and now Odegaard. Central midfielders will be Partey and Jorginho in the National League,” predicted another.
“Our season may be over,” said another. “Merino, Rice and now Odegaard. We are screwed.”
“We are finished,” said one.
We will continue to report more.
