Arsenal Captain Martin Ødegaard Injured
Arsenal Football Club has announced that their captain, Martin Ødegaard, will not be participating in Norway’s upcoming international fixtures due to a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury sustained in his left knee. This injury, which occurred during the team’s recent match against West Ham, marks another challenging episode in Ødegaard’s season, as he has already faced multiple injuries leading up to this point.
Match Details and Injury Impact
The 26-year-old midfielder was forced to leave the pitch just 30 minutes into the match, which Arsenal won 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. This incident is particularly unfortunate, as it represents the third consecutive home game in which Ødegaard had to be substituted before half-time. Previously, he was taken off after 38 minutes against Leeds United due to a shoulder injury, and again after just 18 minutes in a match against Nottingham Forest when the injury was aggravated.
Club’s Response and Future Outlook
In a statement, Arsenal informed fans that Ødegaard will continue receiving treatment and evaluation from their medical staff at the Sobha Realty Training Centre during the current international break. The club expressed hope that he could return to action at the earliest opportunity.
This season, Ødegaard has only completed a full 90-minute match twice, and this recent setback means he will spend additional time away from the pitch. Meanwhile, Arsenal is also monitoring the fitness of Declan Rice, who was substituted late in the same match due to back pain but is anticipated to continue his campaign with the England national team.
Team Performance Amid Injuries
Despite these injuries, Mikel Arteta’s squad heads into the international break at the top of the Premier League table, especially with their rivals Liverpool suffering a last-minute defeat to Chelsea in their latest clash.
