Ødegaard diagnosed with MCL damage after being taken off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
Arsenal confirm Martin Ødegaard has medial collateral ligament damage.
Martin Ødegaard suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over West Ham, and Arsenal has confirmed that he will not be playing for Norway against Israel and New Zealand.
After battling with Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates, Ødegaard fell down clutching his knee. He repeatedly tried to continue after receiving treatment before Martín Zubimendi replaced him. After Ødegaard left the field with his knee in a brace, Mikel Arteta said, and the Arsenal manager acknowledged that his captain was “not positive about it.”
Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had withdrawn from the Norway squad, and it is believed that they are hoping he will only be out for weeks rather than months. Meanwhile, Declan Rice is expected to join Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week despite also being substituted against West Ham due to a back issue.
“Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible,” Arsenal said in a statement.
After suffering a shoulder injury that kept him out of action against Leeds and Nottingham Forest, Ødegaard has had a difficult start to the new season. After the international break, the new recruit Piero Hincapié is anticipated to recover from a groin injury, and he will join Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke on the sidelines.