Arsenal's worst fears realised as Martin Odegaard injury update issued by Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Martin Odegaard suffered ‘significant’ ankle ligament damage during the international break. The Gunners were waiting to discover the extent of their captain’s setback after he limped off in tears earlier this month.

Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner will not be a popular man in north London as it was his challenge which forced Norway’s playmaker off the pitch. Arteta was reluctant to give specifics on Odegaard’s condition while the Arsenal medical team conducted their own checks.

Their assessment has now been completed, and Arteta revealed before Thursday’s Champions League clash with Atalanta: “The scan showed he has some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle, so we are going to lose him for a while.”

Arteta also kept fans guessing on exactly when they can expect to see their skipper back in action. “I don’t want to (say) because I am not a doctor but it is something quite significant. Hopefully not months. Let’s see.”

Losing Odegaard for any extended period will be a crushing blow to the north Londoners. Their trip to Italy this week is followed immediately by their toughest game of the season on paper – Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal found a way to take all three points from bitter rivals Tottenham at the weekend without Odegaard and fellow influential midfield star Declan Rice. The latter will return from suspension against City, but Arteta’s line-up will inevitably be weakened by the absence of his skipper.

Odegaard scored eight goals and registered 10 assists in the Premier League last season, adding to the 22 goal contributions he notched in the campaign prior. Arsenal do not have a natural replacement in attacking midfield, having sold Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham and sent Fabio Vieira on loan to FC Porto during the summer.

“(Odegaard) is our captain,” Arteta continued. “He’s been one of the biggest and best players in our team. Our identity is very linked to how he plays and behaves. It’s a big test for the team to see how able we are to show a different face.”

The fixtures will continue to come thick and fast after Arsenal do battle with City this Sunday. Four more are scheduled before the next international break including Premier League ties with Leicester City and Southampton, and a Champions League blockbuster at home to Paris Saint-Germain.