Club Announce Ødegaard Suffers Medial Collateral Ligament Damage

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has pulled out from Norway’s squad for upcoming matches against New Zealand and Israel after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee during the win over West Ham on Saturday.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville during the opening period at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to carry on after receiving treatment before being substituted by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said after the match that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee in a brace and admitted his captain was “pessimistic about it.”

But while Declan Rice is scheduled to join with the national team this week despite also being replaced against West Ham with a back issue, Arsenal announced that Ødegaard had pulled out from the Norway squad and it is understood they are optimistic that he will only be sidelined briefly rather than a long period. “Martin will continue to be assessed and cared for by our medical team during the break, with the goal of a comeback as soon as possible,” the club said in a statement.

Ødegaard has experienced an unlucky beginning to the season after struggling with a shoulder injury that caused him to leave against two opponents. He will be alongside several teammates on the sidelines, while the recent acquisition Piero Hincapié is likely to come back from a groin injury after the international break.