Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is set to be ruled out for at least three weeks after injuring his ankle on Monday, according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken and national team doctor Ola Sand.

The 25-year-old went down midway through the second half during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria after being on the receiving end of a challenge from Christoph Baumgartner. Odegaard appeared to be in some pain as he limped off before being replaced by Kristian Thorstvedt.

On Tuesday, Odegaard was pictured boarding an aeroplane on crutches and no shoe on his left foot. Upon his return to London, it’s reported Odegaard was assessed further and had an MRI.

Now, Sand and Solbakken expect Odegaard to be out for the next couple of weeks and miss Sunday’s North London Derby. “Both Stale and I know that that collection hangs in the balance. It is not excluded. But we have to wait and see both what the MRI images show and how quickly he responds to treatment,” Sand told VG.

“Ankle injuries are very painful right away. With Martin, it was extremely painful. He became very worried. They are studying the MR images now, and have sent them on. No violation is suspected. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus.

“What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle. Martin now writes that Arsenal wants to take over all communications after they have taken an MRI and are doing the further investigations.”

 

As well as the game against Tottenham, Odegaard could miss the Premier League trip to Manchester City as well as their opening Champions League fixture against Atalanta. Mikel Arteta’s side face seven matches before the next international break in October.

“It is difficult for us if we are going to play without Martin, considering that it is Slovenia at home and Austria away. He is probably the one who has been the least injured of those who are completely bombproof in the eleven under me,” Solbakken said.

“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.”