Wed Sep 18 18:23:00 UTC 2024: ## Arsenal Captain Odegaard Out For “A While” With Ankle Injury

**London, September 19, 2024** – Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will be sidelined for an extended period after suffering a significant ankle injury while on international duty with Norway. The midfielder missed Sunday’s north London derby victory over Tottenham and a scan revealed damage to the ligaments in his ankle.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the news, stating, “The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle, so we are going to miss him. It’s something quite significant, so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully, not months.”

Despite the loss of their captain, Arteta is confident in his team’s ability to cope. “We have to show that, added Arteta. He’s our captain. One of our biggest players, one of our most consistent players in the last two or three seasons. Our identity is related to his way of playing and his way of behaving. We are going to have to deal with that.”

Arteta believes this is a chance for other players to step up. “It’s a great test for the team of how capable we are to show maybe a different face and that other players and other options can be very effective.”

Meanwhile, the Gunners received a positive update on Bukayo Saka, who limped off during the Spurs match. Arteta confirmed the England forward is available for Thursday’s Champions League opener against Atalanta in Italy.

Arsenal will have one less day to recover from the trip to Italy than their upcoming opponents, Manchester City, who play Inter Milan on Wednesday. Arteta remains positive, stating, “Hopefully, we have so much energy from what happened on Sunday as well. It was great. We are looking at the positives.”

The extra demands on players with the new Champions League format have been a topic of discussion. While City star Rodri suggested players could go on strike, Arsenal midfielder Jorginho emphasized their commitment. “This situation is how it is. If the games are there, we will work so hard to be here and at this level, and we dreamed to be here, so if it’s this situation, we need to play these games, we always try to do our best to deliver.”

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