Martin Odegaard injury timeframe revealed with positive Mikel Arteta update for Arsenal captain

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is still an injury concern after suffering an ankle issue while on international duty with Norway in early September.

The attacking midfielder had to be withdrawn during a clash with Austria after an opposition player awkwardly fell on his foot during a collision.

Odegaard appeared in some discomfort and was pictured on crutches heading back to London shortly after.

It sparked fears over the 25-year-old’s fitness with big clashes against Tottenham in the North London Derby, Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City in a Premier League title clash.

Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta, the playmaker missed all three but Arsenal have managed to squeeze through those matches with some positive results.

With a clearer run ahead, there will be hopes that the captain can return to action as soon as possible, with the Arsenal boss giving an update on the situation.

Mikel Arteta provides Martin Odegaard injury update

So as Arsenal have a clearer idea of how long Odegaard will be out of action for, it can provide a better timeline on a possible return.

Previous reports claimed that Odegaard would be out until November through an ankle issue, which would see him miss a few months of action.

However, the latest update from Arteta suggests that it could be a bit of a sooner return for the midfielder in the weeks ahead.

The Arsenal boss told the media ahead of the EFL Cup clash with Bolton: “I think it will be a matter of weeks, but how long exactly I cannot tell.

“We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely he’ll be back before the international break.”

It suggests that Odegaard may be back in action in October, rather than November, with the next international break starting next week.

It means he is guaranteed to miss the cup clash with Bolton as well as the Premier League ties against Leicester City and Southampton as well as the Champions League match against PSG.

Arsenal must find Martin Odegaard solution quickly

So far in Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal have played against two league teams who are more than comfortable in keeping possession.

This has allowed the creativity to come from counter-attacking opportunities or through set-pieces, somewhat negating the loss of their captain.

The match against Atalanta perhaps underlines why Odegaard is so crucial though, with the side needing that creative spark against teams who are looking to be defensively solid.

With the clash against Leicester around the corner, there is a game that will be rather similar in style which requires individual ability to step up and win games.

It puts a lot of weight on the shoulder of Arteta, who will have to find the right replacement for Odegaard in the upcoming clashes.