Team Announce Ødegaard Has Medial Collateral Ligament Injury

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from Norway’s squad for upcoming matches against New Zealand and Israel after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee in the win over West Ham on Saturday.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after a challenge from Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to continue playing after being treated before being eventually replaced by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said after the match that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee supported and stated his captain was “not positive about it.”

But while Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back problem, Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had withdrawn from the Norway squad and it is understood they are optimistic that he will only be sidelined briefly rather than months. “Ødegaard will undergo further evaluation and treated by our medical team during the international window, with the goal of a comeback as soon as possible,” the club said in a statement.

Ødegaard has experienced an injury-hit start to the season after dealing with a shoulder problem that forced him off against two opponents. He will join several teammates on the injury list, while the recent acquisition Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin injury after the international break.