Team Announce Ødegaard Has MCL Damage

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from the national team for upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee in the win over their opponents on Saturday.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after a challenge from Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and twice attempted to carry on after receiving treatment before being substituted by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said after the match that Ødegaard had departed the stadium with his knee supported and admitted his captain was “pessimistic about it.”

Although Declan Rice is expected to meet up with the national team this week despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back issue, Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had withdrawn from the Norway squad and it is understood they are hopeful that he will only be out for weeks rather than months. “Ødegaard will continue to be assessed and treated by our staff during the international window, with the goal of a return to action as soon as possible,” the club said in a release.

Ødegaard has endured an injury-hit start to the new campaign after dealing with a shoulder injury that forced him off against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will join several teammates on the injury list, while the new signing Piero Hincapié is likely to come back from a groin injury after the international break.