Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has suffered a “significant” ankle ligament injury which will keep him out of action “for a while”, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday.
The midfielder was injured playing against Norway this month and scans have confirmed the extent of the damage.
“It’s a very important thing so we will lose him for a while. I hope not for months,” said Arteta.
Arsenal play Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday and Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Odegaard is a key player for Arsenal, who have finished second to City in the past two seasons.
“He is our captain. One of our best players, one of our most consistent players in the last two or three seasons,” Arteta said. “Our personality is related to the way he plays and the way he behaves.
“It’s a good test for the team to see how good we are to show maybe a different face and that other players and other options can be more effective.”
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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