Team Confirm Ødegaard Has Medial Collateral Ligament Damage

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has pulled out from Norway’s squad for their games against New Zealand and Israel after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee in the 2-0 victory over their opponents on Saturday.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to continue playing after being treated before being substituted by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said post-game that Ødegaard had departed the stadium with his knee in a brace and stated his captain was “pessimistic about it.”

Although Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in the coming days despite also being replaced against West Ham with a back problem, Arsenal announced that Ødegaard had withdrawn from the Norway squad and it is believed they are hopeful that he will only be sidelined briefly rather than a long period. “Ødegaard will undergo further evaluation 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 unlucky beginning to the new campaign after dealing with a shoulder injury that forced him off against two opponents. He will join several teammates on the sidelines, while the recent acquisition Piero Hincapié is likely to come back from a groin injury after the pause.