Team Announce Ødegaard Has MCL Damage

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from the national team for upcoming matches against New Zealand and Israel after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee in the win over their opponents this past weekend.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville during the opening period at the Emirates and twice attempted to carry on after receiving treatment before being eventually replaced by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said after the match that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee supported and admitted his captain was “not positive about it.”

Although Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in the coming days despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back problem, Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had pulled out from the Norway squad and it is understood they are hopeful that he will only be out for weeks rather than months. “Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our staff during the international window, with the goal of a return to action as soon as possible,” Arsenal said in a release.

Ødegaard has experienced an injury-hit start to the new campaign after dealing with a shoulder injury that caused him to leave against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will join Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke on the sidelines, while the recent acquisition Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin injury after the international break.