Big blow for Arsenal a week before the start of the Champions League? Martin Odegaard (25 years old), captain and playmaker of the Gunners, injured his left ankle on Monday during Norway’s victory against Austria (2-1) in the Nations League. After a duel with Christoph Baumgartner, the midfielder twisted his left ankle before collapsing in pain on the ground (64th) and then being treated for several minutes by the medical staff.
“I’m not sure Arteta will call me tonight to congratulate me,” jokes the Norwegian coach
The former Real Madrid player left the pitch in tears and grimacing, supported by two members of the medical staff and comforted by Erling Haaland. He was replaced by Kristian Thorstvedt (67th). According to the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, Arsenal doctors immediately contacted their Norwegian counterparts to get the first news and decide to have the player undergo an MRI in London on Tuesday. Odegaard did not appear at the press conference after the match, remaining in the locker room with an ice pack and a bandage on the affected area.
“It looked really painful,” Norway coach Ståle Solbakken told TV2. “He was sitting with the doctors around him, he couldn’t continue (the game). We know the ankle is affected, it’s a sprain and those who have played football know that with luck it can be okay if the ligaments are not torn. But I’m not sure Arteta will call me tonight to congratulate me.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may indeed fear an absence of his star nine days before the Gunners’ Champions League debut at Atalanta Bergamo (September 19, 9pm). The London club will face PSG two weeks later at the Emirates Stadium (October 1, 9pm).
- RMC Sport
