Arsenal suffered a potentially catastrophic setback six days before the derby against Tottenham when Martin Odegaard was injured in a match against Norway.
The playmaker suffered an ankle injury after a sliding tackle from Christoph Baumgartner and was taken off in the 67th minute during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League win over Austria on Monday evening.
He appeared to be in mortal agony as he rolled on the ground and had to be helped on both sides by a physiotherapist as he limped, his face in pain and fighting back tears.
Manchester City star Erling Haaland, who scored the winning goal in the 80th minute, was among the team-mates who comforted Odegaard by patting him on the shoulder as he hobbled away.
“Martin Odegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room,” said Norway coach Stale Solbakken.
Martin Odegaard was sent off for Norway with an ankle injury in a setback for Arsenal
The midfielder appeared to be in mortal fear after a sliding tackle from Christoph Baumgartner
Erling Haaland was one of the players who consoled Odegaard, who looked in tears
National team doctor Ola Sand told TV2: “He has a small ankle sprain. We’ll see, maybe we’ll use an ultrasound to look at it.”
“If we’re not sure, we’ll do an MRI tomorrow.”
Odegaard’s girlfriend Helene Spilling was in the stands to witness the incident and appeared visibly upset as medical staff helped the Arsenal midfielder off the pitch for a full check-up.
The Gunners captain announced a week ago in a social media post that he and Spilling, a dancer from Norway, are expecting a child. The caption read: ‘Can’t wait to meet you, our little baby.’
In the Instagram post, Spilling’s baby bump was on display as the couple embraced for a photo by the sea.
Depending on the severity of Odegaard’s injury, it could create a huge headache for Mikel Arteta in midfield.
Declan Rice has been suspended for the match following his controversial red card against Brighton, while £33million summer signing Mikel Merino is also injured.
Merino suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training session, meaning Arteta could start with Thomas Partey and Jorginho in midfield against Tottenham Hotspur.
There is a wider injury crisis at the Gunners, who are also bemoaning the strange injury to £42million player Riccardo Calafiori.
Odegaard’s girlfriend Helene Spilling seemed visibly upset by the Norwegian’s injury
Dancer Spilling (above), 28, and Odegaard, 25, announced in August that they were expecting a child
The left-back has left Italy’s international camp after suffering an ankle injury when Ousmane Dembele accidentally touched him following a foul by Alessandro Bastoni.
Arsenal are fourth in the table with two wins and a draw, while Tottenham have four points after three games.
In addition to Spurs, they will also play a match against Manchester City in the Premier League, host Atalanta in the Champions League and play against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.
After falling short against City in the league for two seasons, an early season injury was the last thing Arteta needed.
“FFS he really sprained his ankle, that looked painful,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
Mikel Arteta (above) struggles with mountain problem after blows to Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori
Norway eventually won the match 2-1, but there were major concerns for Odegaard
‘Merino, Rice, now Odegaard. The central midfielders will be Partey and Jorginho for NLD,’ predicted another.
“Our season might be over,” said another. “Merino, Rice, and now Odegaard. We’re f****d.”
“We’re ready,” said one.