Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirms Martin Ødegaard‘s ankle injury will keep him sidelined until after the October international break.
The Norwegian midfielder suffered an ankle injury on September 9 during Norway’s UEFA Nations League win over Austria.
National team doctor Ola Sand initially ruled Ødegaard out for three weeks, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has taken a more cautious approach.
Ødegaard will miss several key fixtures, including the Carabao Cup third-round clash against Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium.
The midfielder’s absence will also be felt in upcoming matches against Leicester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Southampton.
“I think it will be a matter of weeks,” Arteta said regarding a timeframe for Ødegaard’s absence.
“How long exactly, I cannot tell you. We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely [he returns before the international break].”
Arsenal’s first match after the international break is against Bournemouth on October 19.
Arteta’s injury update revealed a growing concern for the team.
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Ben White is managing an unspecified fitness issue, while Oleksandr Zinchenko will be out for “a few weeks” with a calf injury.
Mikel Merino is sidelined with a fractured shoulder, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is recovering from a knee injury.
Gabriel Martinelli, Jurriën Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and David Raya are doubts for the Bolton game.
Asked whether he would rotate heavily with 10 changes similar to other big teams in the competition, Arteta said:
“At the moment we can’t because we don’t have another 10 players available.”
The injury crisis may lead to an unexpected opportunity for 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter, who could start against Bolton with back-up goalkeeper Neto cup-tied.
Arsenal’s depth will be tested in the coming weeks, and fans will be hoping that Ødegaard and other injured players will return to full fitness soon.
The team’s ability to cope with these injuries will be crucial in maintaining their momentum in the league.
The October international break provides a timely opportunity for Arsenal’s injured players to recover. However, the immediate focus shifts to the Bolton game and finding a winning formula without their captain.
