Martin Odegaard on crutches but Arsenal captain still has Tottenham hope (original) (raw)
Martin Odegaard injury latest: Arsenal captain on crutches, apology and Tottenham hope
Martin Odegaard has boarded a private jet on crutches after being forced off with injury on Monday night as the Norway star now faces a race against time to feature for Arsenal at Tottenham
Odegaard is on crutches and a huge doubt for the north London derby
Martin Odegaard has given Arsenal a major scare ahead of Sunday's north London derby.
The Norwegian was injured during Norway's win over Austria on Monday night as he had to be helped off the pitch. The team's doctor said that the playmaker had suffered an ankle issue and Odegaard has since been pictured getting on a plane with crutches.
He was boarding a private jet after his Norway duties were fulfilled and needed help getting up the stairs of the plane with the pilot assisting him. Odegaard was determined not to put any weight on his foot as he waits on a diagnosis regarding his injury.
Arsenal face Tottenham in five days and their captain may now miss out with time against him. Odegaard will undergo an MRI scan and is keen to try and play on Sunday despite it currently looking beyond him.
Under Mikel Arteta the Norwegian has largely been an ever present, missing just four games across the last two Premier League seasons. The Arsenal boss has been loathed to even rest his playmaker and will no doubt look to play him if he is given anything close to a green light.
Arsenal have already dropped points this term and, despite only being three games in, can ill-afford to lose more ground against Manchester City. Arteta has had to watch nervously over the international break as he hopes his players return as they left with Riccardo Calafiori already picking up an injury.
Norway boss Stale Solbakken made a comment in the aftermath of Odegaard's injury, highlighting that he knew the Gunners boss would be less than impressed. “It looked bad in the dressing room too," he said. "He didn't have the nerve to continue. It is not certain that Arteta will call me tonight and praise me."
Martin Odegaard is now rushing to be fit for the north London derby (
Image:
Ane Frosaker/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)
Missing out on the Tottenham clash is not ideal for Odegaard nor Arteta, especially given Declan Rice will also be absent through suspension, but Arsenal are set to begin a run of challenging games that could prove crucial.
After Sunday's game Arsenal will begin their Champions League campaign against Atalanta. Then, just days later, they will go to the Etihad to take on the champions. Kai Havertz is the favourite to step into Odegaard's position following the summer decisions to offload Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira.
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