Arsenal's Odegaard set for at least three weeks out

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard is group to beryllium retired for astatine slightest 3 weeks pinch an ankle injury, according to Norway's squad doctor.

Ola Sand said location is "probably nary fracture" to Odegaard's near ankle, which he injured while playing for Norway connected Monday, but added that an absence of little than 3 weeks would beryllium "just a bonus".

Odegaard limped disconnected during Norway's Nations League triumph complete Austria and connected Tuesday nan 25-year-old midfielder returned to London, wherever he underwent an MRI scan.

Arsenal person said that head Mikel Arteta will supply an update during his news convention connected Friday, earlier Sunday's northbound London derby astatine Tottenham.

But Norway's squad expert Sand told Norwegian newspaper VG:, external "Such ankle injuries often return astatine slightest 3 weeks. Anything different than that is conscionable a prize and past it tin return longer.

"What we person truthful acold obtained from nan MRI introspection successful London is that location is astir apt nary fracture successful nan ankle.

"Arsenal are almost definite location is nary breach, but this whitethorn still return immoderate time. In nan arena of a fracture, we are talking astir being retired of action for six weeks plus."

If Odegaard is retired for 3 weeks he would miss 5 games for Arsenal, including adjacent Thursday's Champions League crippled distant to Atalanta and their Premier League crippled astatine title rivals Manchester City connected 22 September.

The Gunners will besides beryllium without 2 different midfielders for Sunday's northbound London derby arsenic Declan Rice is suspended while summertime signing Mikel Merino is sidelined pinch a fractured shoulder.

Fellow summertime signing Riccardo Calafiori is doubtful aft nan Italy defender was forced disconnected during Friday's Nations League lucifer against France pinch a calf problem, but striker Gabriel Jesus could soon beryllium backmost successful contention pursuing a groin problem.