Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has opened up about the fear he felt after suffering a serious ankle injury, which has sidelined him indefinitely.
The Norwegian international sustained ligament damage during a UEFA Nations League match against Austria.
The injury has already forced Odegaard to miss crucial Premier League fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the midfielder will be out for an extended period, dealing a significant blow to the club’s title aspirations.
Despite the setback, Odegaard has refrained from setting a specific timeline for his return, focusing instead on his recovery.
“We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely,” Arteta said when asked if Odegaard might return before the October international break.
He added: “After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle.
“It’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while.”
As a result, Odegaard did not participate in the Carabao Cup third-round match against Bolton Wanderers.
However, he took the opportunity in his captain’s notes within the matchday program to provide an update on his recovery.
“I think it was unfortunate to get the injury in the way that I did, but also it could have been worse,” Odegaard wrote.
“It was not a nice twist, and when it happened I felt it could be serious.
“I’ve injured my ankle before and the pain felt a bit different this time.
“That’s what scared me, but from what happened it could have been worse, so in that sense I got away with it a bit.
“Like any player, the first thing I asked the medical team was how long I would be out for, but it’s a bit tricky to say at the moment.
“In the early stages, it’s crucial to get a proper rest and to make sure everything heals well.
“After that it’s about getting stronger and building it up again.”
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