Club Announce Ødegaard Suffers Medial Collateral Ligament Injury

Arsenal have confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from Norway’s squad for upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the 2-0 victory over their opponents this past weekend.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after a challenge from Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to continue playing after receiving treatment before being eventually replaced by Martín Zubimendi. The manager said post-game that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee supported and admitted his captain was “pessimistic about it.”

But while Declan Rice is scheduled to join with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in the coming days despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back problem, Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had pulled out from the Norway squad and it is understood they are hopeful that he will only be sidelined briefly rather than months. “Martin will continue to be assessed and cared for by our medical team during the break, with the goal of a comeback as soon as possible,” Arsenal said in a release.

Ødegaard has experienced an unlucky beginning to the season after struggling with a shoulder problem that caused him to leave against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will be alongside several teammates on the injury list, while the new signing Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin injury after the pause.