Arsenal handed fresh Martin Odegaard injury hope amid seven potential North London Derby absences

Arsenal fans were less than thrilled when they saw club captain Martin Odegaard leave the pitch early in Norway’s clash with Austria due to injury.

The playmaker suffered from a twisted ankle that left him on the floor in some discomfort and requiring treatment.

Odegaard was later pictured in crutches as he was set to fly home to London to be assessed by the Arsenal medical team.

It means the Gunners could be without their star player for the North London Derby clash against rivals Tottenham.

However, former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes the attacking midfielder may not be ruled out of action yet.

Speaking on ESPN, he said: “No, it’s not good news, but I’ve twisted my ankle, my right ankle 16 times and my left ankle 15 times… If it’s not a fracture if your bone is not touched.

“I was called a soft player in England, if you are quite strong, you do the strap. If you’re in an important game, you’re going to be on the field.

“It’s what I think. It might damage your ligament for after the football, but during that time you can handle it.

“If you strap well, you can play with it… I’m pretty sure they can sort Odegaard’s problem out, and hopefully, he can play for the Gunners.”

Arsenal injury doubts for North London Derby

Alongside Martin Odegaard, Arsenal have a handful of potential injury doubts heading into the North London Derby over the weekend.

The Gunners could be missing up to seven players through fitness concerns, while Declan Rice will be out through suspension.

Tottenham could be missing up to three players as things stand, with Ange Postecoglou handed a slightly more favourable squad situation than Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal boss could be forced into some key changes within his team by the time they take on Spurs away from home.

Read more on Arsenal injury latest, here.

Edu Gaspar praised for Raheem Sterling transfer

Amid a busy summer transfer window, Arsenal managed to keep their cool and secure several key signings and exits.

One of those unexpected arrivals was Raheem Sterling, who joined from Chelsea on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day.

The former Manchester City man previously worked under Mikel Arteta and is looking to hit the heights once again.

With the Gunners not paying a loan fee, as well as only a fraction of the forward’s wages, it appears to be a shrewd deal.

That was certainly the consensus from experts at The Athletic, who have declared the deal as the second-best of the window.

They stated: “Raheem Sterling’s season-long loan to Arsenal from Chelsea came in second place.

“Arsenal signing Sterling, who has won four Premier League titles, on loan without committing to paying his sizeable wage beyond this year — Chelsea have committed to paying more than half of Sterling’s salary for his season in north London — appears to be among the very best business of the window.

“This little financial commitment eliminates many of the dangers.”