Ødegaard suffers MCL injury, out of Norway squad
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has been diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee and has withdrawn from Norway’s upcoming international fixtures against Israel and New Zealand, the club confirmed on Sunday. The 26-year-old sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham United on Saturday and will remain under treatment at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international break.
Ødegaard was forced off after just 30 minutes of the match at the Emirates Stadium following a collision with West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville. This marks the third consecutive Premier League home game in which the midfielder has been substituted before halftime, following earlier shoulder injuries against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. Despite these setbacks, Ødegaard made key contributions in recent matches, including a full 90 minutes against Newcastle United and a Champions League appearance against Olympiacos.
The club statement emphasized ongoing medical assessments aimed at facilitating Ødegaard’s return as soon as possible but did not specify the expected duration of his absence. Alongside Ødegaard, Arsenal also face injury concerns over midfielder Declan Rice, who left the West Ham match early with a back issue but is still expected to join England’s national team for their fixtures.
The absence of Ødegaard represents a significant challenge for manager Mikel Arteta, as the captain has been central to Arsenal’s midfield creativity and leadership this season. Arsenal currently lead the Premier League table, and managing squad fitness during the congested fixture schedule will be critical to maintaining their strong position.
This latest injury setback highlights the physical demands placed on the key players in Arsenal’s squad and will test the team’s depth and resilience. How long Ødegaard remains sidelined will be a crucial factor in Arsenal’s campaign as they aim to consolidate their status as title contenders. Meanwhile, this period offers an opportunity for emerging players to step up and for Arteta to adjust his tactical approaches during the midfielder’s absence.