Team Announce Ødegaard Has MCL Damage

Arsenal have confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from the national team for upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee in the win over their opponents on Saturday.

Ødegaard collapsed holding his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to carry on after receiving treatment before being eventually replaced by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said post-game that Ødegaard had departed the stadium with his knee supported and stated 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 believed they are hopeful that he will only be out for weeks rather than a long period. “Martin will continue to be assessed and cared for by our medical team during the international window, with the goal of a comeback as soon as possible,” the club said in a release.

Ødegaard has experienced an injury-hit start to the season after struggling with a shoulder problem that forced him off against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will join several teammates on the sidelines, while the recent acquisition Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin issue after the international break.