ARSENAL have suffered a major blow after manager Mikel Arteta confirmed captain Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury contains “significant” damage that will put him out for “a while”.
The Gunners skipper, 25, sustained the injury during the international break while playing for Norway.
He missed Arsenal’s North London derby victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
And now head coach Arteta has confirmed he is set to be sidelined for some time, though he did specify a return date.
Speaking ahead of his side’s Champions League opener against Atalanta on Thursday, he said: “After everything was scanned, the scan showed he has got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle so we are going to miss him.
“I don’t want to [give a timeline] because I am not a doctor but it is something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months but let’s see.”
Arteta also discussed Arsenal having a replacement for Odegaard, adding: “Yes [we have the replacement] but we have to show that. He is our captain, he is one of our biggest players without a doubt.
“He has been one of the most consistent players in the last two or three seasons. Our identity is very related to his way of playing and his way of behaving. We are going to have to deal with that.
“That is a great test for the team as well, of how capable we are to show maybe a different face and the fact we have other players and other options that can still be very effective.”
Odegaard scored 11 goals and assisted 11 more in 48 appearances for Arsenal last season.
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How Fabregas would deal with Odegaard absence
Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas has had his say on how Mikel Arteta should line up following Martin Odegaard’s injury.
He told the Planet Premier League podcast: “I have no doubts that if Mikel puts him [Ethan Nwaneri] in the starting XI or even during the game it’s because he has seen that he’s good enough to make an impact.
“Obviously the consequences of Rice and Odegaard being out helps and makes it a little bit faster than he would have liked but definitely it means that he is on his mind.
“If he’s part of the squad it’s because he really believes that he can bring something to the table.
“I also would like to see Trossard in midfield. I know he likes to come from the wing but he has the capabilities and qualities to play that role of Odegaard. A little more offensive midfielder, No8, No10.
“I think he’s got the qualities to do that. Probably [Thomas] Partey and Jorginho will be the other two midfielders if I am not mistaken.
“But overall, it’s great to see young players making it into the Premier League.”
He missed just three Premier League games in the 2023/24 campaign – one of which was a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle.
Arsenal fans had been hoping the injury was a minor one, but are now concerned about the Norway international’s prolonged absence.
One said: “This doesn’t sound good to be honest.”
While another added: “I just fell to my knees.”
A third replied: “That’s him done until Christmas then! Massive loss that, our best player & captain.
“As [if] we couldn’t hate international break any more! He should never have gone with that knock; absolutely ridiculous.”
And a fourth responded: “… For a while sounds like forever. This isn’t good news at all. Get well soon captain .”
In the win over rivals Spurs at the weekend, Arteta switched from a 4-3-3 to more of a 4-4-2 formation.
Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard led the line, with a four-man midfield of Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli.
