Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to miss Sunday’s North London derby, marking the beginning of a challenging week for the Gunners, after sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty with Norway.
Odegaard was forced off the pitch after injuring his ankle during Norway’s UEFA Nations League clash against Austria.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken told broadcaster TV2: “It looked bad in the dressing room too.”
Team doctor Ola Sand added. “He got a small ankle sprain.
“We will see throughout the evening and [Tuesday] what happens next and what we will do about it.”
More details about the severity of Martin Ødegaard’s injury are expected later on Tuesday.
However, it now appears very unlikely that Ødegaard will be available to face Tottenham on Sunday.
With Mikel Arteta potentially missing his entire first-choice midfield for the match, the situation is challenging.
New signing Mikel Merino suffered a shoulder fracture during his first training session and is not anticipated to make his debut before October.
Additionally, Declan Rice is suspended following his controversial red card against Brighton.
Ødegaard’s injury could not have come at a worse time.
Arsenal are set to kick off their Champions League campaign at Atalanta on Thursday night before facing Manchester City in a quick turnaround on Sunday.
Leandro Trossard is the most logical candidate to replace Ødegaard.
Should Trossard be moved into that role, it could open the door for loan signing Raheem Sterling to make his first start for Arsenal on the left wing against Tottenham.
However, this would still leave Arteta with a selection dilemma for Rice’s position as a left-sided midfielder.
Given Gabriel Jesus’ injury concerns, it seems likely that Kai Havertz will continue up front, which might necessitate Oleksandr Zinchenko moving upfield.
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