Odegaard was forced off while playing for Norway (Picture: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard for a while after scans revealed he has suffered ‘significant’ ankle ligament damage.
The Gunners captain was forced off injured while playing for Norway during September’s international break.
Odegaard returned to London on crutches wearing a protective boot and missed Sunday’s derby victory over Tottenham.
Arsenal had remained silent on the severity of the problem but Arteta has now offered a bleak update with his skipper facing a spell on the sidelines.
‘After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle,’ Arteta told a press conference ahead of Thursday’s Champions League clash with Atalanta.
‘It’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while.’
Arteta was reluctant to give a precise timescale on how long Odegaard will be unavailable for, adding: ‘Hopefully not months, but let’s see.’
The Arsenal boss continued: ‘He’s our captain. He’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team.
‘Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It’s a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face.’
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