Arteta explains when Odegaard could return from 'significant' ankle injury (original) (raw)

Arsenal captain Odegaard suffered the injury while on international duty against Austria but the medics have only now accurately the length of his lay-off because they were waiting on further checks

Odegard faces a long spell out with his ankle problem

Martin Odegaard has delivered a huge blow to Arsenal’s title chances as he faces a long spell out through injury.

Mikel Arteta revealed further scans have shown “significant” damage to his ankle which rules him out of Arsenal ’s Champions League trip to Atalanta and Sunday’s title crunch at Manchester City.

Arsenal captain Odegaard suffered the injury while on international duty against Austria but the medics have only now accurately the length of his lay-off because they were waiting on further checks. Odegaard’s absence is a massive setback for the Gunners as Arteta said he hopes it will be weeks rather than months but it will be a lengthy lay-off.

Gunners boss Arteta said: “After everything was scanned, the scan showed he has got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. We are going to miss him.

“I don’t want to [give a timeline] because I am not a doctor but yeah, it is something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months, but let’s see.”

Arteta, who is boosted by the return of Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice for the Atalanta clash, says Arsenal must show they can cope without Odegaard who is such an important player for the club.

Odegaard suffered the injury on international duty (

Image:

Getty Images)

Arteta added: “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.”

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