Martin Odegaard is likely to be out of action for the next three weeks but the Arsenal captain has avoided serious ankle fracture, according to Norway’s team doctor.
Already without midfield duo Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, Mikel Arteta suffered another huge blow earlier this week when Odegaard was forced off in obvious pain during Norway’s Nations League win over Austria.
The 25-year-old was pictured boarding a private plane back to London on Tuesday with the aid of crutches, sparking fears he had suffered a fracture that would rule him out for a significant period.
Speaking to Norwegian outlet VG, however, Ole Sand is confident that the Arsenal playmaker has avoided a serious injury but confirmed he is unlikely to feature in Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham.
‘Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks,’ said Sand. ‘Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer.
‘What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle.’
Sand added: ‘Regardless of the MRI images, his response to the rehabilitation in the next few weeks is the most important.
‘It will start carefully on the bike, carefully in relation to what he can tolerate from pain. Then you take it gradually.’
An absence of three weeks would mean Odegaard would also miss Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Atalanta and key domestic matches against Manchester City and Leicester City.
‘It is difficult for us if we are going to play without Martin, considering that it is Slovenia at home and Austria away,’ said Norway manager Stale Solbakken who hopes to have his skipper back for October’s international fixtures.
‘He is probably the one who has been the least injured of those who are completely bombproof in the eleven under me, says national team manager Stale Solbakken to VG.
‘Martin has been present the whole time. Now we get into a new situation, if that happens. But I don’t know anything more. It can take longer and it can go faster.
‘It is individual, too. It’s not quite overnight with three weeks. Then it’s not the worst ankle injury on earth. Then there is hope.’