Norway issue new Martin Odegaard update after Arsenal injury extent revealed

Norway have issued a Martin Odegaard update after Arsenal confirmed he would be remaining in north London over the October international break. The Gunners captain picked up a knee injury during Saturday's win over West Ham United at Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old made back-to-back starts for the first time in six weeks this past Saturday after a shoulder problem had plagued him for the opening period of the campaign. Just under 30 minutes into the fixture against West Ham United, Odegaard took a big hit to his knee.

He attempted to run off the issue but was replaced by Martin Zubimendi soon after with Arteta issuing a concerning update in his post-match press conference. "I think he [Odegaard] had a clash knee-to-knee, and immediately he was uncomfortable," the Arsenal boss said.

"I just spoke to him, he's not positive about it, he's got a brace on, we'll have to wait and see from the doctors, but we haven't been very lucky with that either."

Arsenal have since confirmed in a statement that he will be remaining in north London and "will continue to be assessed" over the international break after sustaining a "medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee".

A mild MCL injury usually requires 1-3 weeks of recovery while a moderate problem needing around a month and a severe blow resulting in potentially over six weeks of rest. Arteta will be hoping it is neither of the latter two prognosis', given the amount of fixtures coming over the next few months.

A number of those will be vital to Arsenal's campaign, but the two fixtures he would have played for Norway against Israel and New Zealand are not too important. Their World Cup qualification campaign has gone swimmingly thus far, with maximum points secured.

Despite that, as he is such a big attraction in his home country, Norway officials have apologised for his absence while also providing further clarity on his injury."

"We are of course sorry for this on our own behalf and on Martin's behalf," Norway boss Stale Solbakken has been quoted saying in a statement. "Fortunately, the clarification regarding this comes so early, gives us plenty of time to prepare those who will play the match on Saturday.

National team doctor Ola Sand added: "The injury means that he will not be ready to play for this training camp. We are in close contact with the medical support team at Arsenal, who will be responsible for the treatment going forward."

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