Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks due to an ankle injury, according to Norway's team doctor.
Dr. Ola Sand reported that while there’s likely no fracture in Ødegaard’s left ankle, which he injured during a Nations League match against Austria on Monday, a recovery period shorter than three weeks would be considered a bonus. Ødegaard, 25, limped off the pitch during the game and returned to London on Tuesday for an MRI scan.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is scheduled to give an update on Ødegaard's condition at his news conference on Friday, ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
Dr. Sand shared with Norwegian newspaper VG that such ankle injuries typically require at least three weeks to heal, though recovery could take longer. "The MRI results suggest there’s probably no fracture," Sand said. "Arsenal seem confident there’s no break, but it could still be a while. If there were a fracture, he’d be out for at least six weeks."
If Ødegaard is out for three weeks, he would miss five games for Arsenal, including next Thursday's Champions League match against Atalanta and the Premier League clash with title rivals Manchester City on September 22.
Additionally, Arsenal will be without two other midfielders for the derby: Declan Rice is suspended, and summer signing Mikel Merino is out with a fractured shoulder. Fellow new recruit Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt due to a calf issue sustained during the Nations League match against France, although striker Gabriel Jesus might return soon after his groin injury.
