Career ending news has been confirmed for Martin Odegaard this morning!

 

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is scheduled to have an MRI scan to evaluate the severity of an ankle injury he sustained during Norway’s Nations League match against Austria on Monday.

The injury seemed quite severe, with Norway’s manager, Ståle Solbakken, acknowledging that it “looked bad” after the game. Ødegaard was seen on crutches the following morning as he prepared to fly from Oslo to London.

He has returned to London for further medical assessments, where Arsenal’s medical team will conduct scans to determine the full extent of the injury.

Norway’s team doctor, Ola Sand, confirmed that Ødegaard will undergo an MRI scan at Arsenal’s facilities later in the day. In a statement to Norwegian media outlet VG, Sand said, “He is on his way to London and will have an MRI there later today.” When asked for an initial assessment of the injury, Sand provided minimal details, only noting, “Nothing but a strong overstepping and that we await what Arsenal find.” This lack of detailed initial evaluation has left Arsenal fans and management anxious as they await the scan results.

The timing of this injury is particularly problematic for Arsenal, who face a crucial series of matches following the international break. Manager Mikel Arteta’s team is set to play a high-stakes north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a Champions League fixture against Atalanta in Italy, and then a match against Manchester City just three days later. Ødegaard’s absence, given his crucial role in Arsenal’s midfield, could significantly impact the team’s performance in these key games.

Arsenal’s midfield depth is already compromised due to recent injuries and suspensions. Declan Rice will miss upcoming matches after a red card in Arsenal’s last Premier League game against Brighton, and Mikel Merino, who was expected to strengthen the squad, faces a significant delay before his debut due to a shoulder injury sustained in training. This leaves Arteta with limited midfield options, making Ødegaard’s potential absence even more concerning.

As Ødegaard undergoes further assessment in London, Arsenal will be anxiously awaiting the MRI results, hoping for a favorable outcome that could allow their captain to return to action soon.