Club Announce Ødegaard Has Medial Collateral Ligament Injury

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from Norway’s squad for upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee during the 2-0 victory over their opponents on Saturday.

Ødegaard collapsed holding his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and twice attempted to carry on after receiving treatment before being eventually replaced by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said post-game that Ødegaard had departed the stadium with his knee supported and admitted his captain was “not positive about it.”

Although Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back problem, Arsenal announced that Ødegaard had withdrawn from the Norway squad and it is understood they are hopeful that he will only be out for weeks rather than months. “Ødegaard will continue to be assessed and cared for by our medical team during the break, with the aim of a comeback as soon as possible,” the club said in a release.

Ødegaard has experienced an unlucky beginning to the new campaign after dealing with a shoulder injury that forced him off against two opponents. He will join several teammates on the injury list, while the new signing Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin issue after the pause.