Team doctor has bad news for Arsenal: 'Normally, this takes at least three weeks'

Ødegaard’s injury during Norway’s Nations League clash against Austria has cast doubt over his immediate availability for Arsenal.

The injury occurred in a tightly contested 2-1 win, where the Norwegian playmaker was substituted after just over an hour, being replaced by Kristian Thorstvedt. Later, worrying signs emerged as Ødegaard was spotted using crutches, raising concerns about the severity of his condition.

Norwegian team doctor Ola Sand spoke to the media to shed some light on the injury, providing a cautiously optimistic update. "It’s likely not a fracture, but in most cases, this kind of injury still requires at least three weeks to recover," Sand explained to VG, a prominent Norwegian outlet. "Anything less would be a bonus. However, the recovery could also take longer depending on the extent of the damage."

For Arsenal, this news could hardly come at a worse time. The club faces a critical stretch of matches in multiple competitions, starting with the highly anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday. Without Ødegaard, Arsenal’s midfield creativity could take a significant hit. Adding to the Gunners' worries, Declan Rice is also unavailable for the derby due to suspension, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with limited options for this crucial fixture. Rice, a key figure in Arsenal’s midfield, has been instrumental in their early season form, and his absence compounds the challenges for Arteta.

Ødegaard’s potential absence will also affect Arsenal’s upcoming European campaign. The team is set to begin their Champions League journey next week with a tough encounter against Atalanta Bergamo. The Norwegian playmaker is a crucial figure in Arsenal’s European ambitions, and his creativity and leadership in midfield will be sorely missed if he cannot recover in time. Furthermore, the Premier League showdown against Manchester City on September 22, a fixture that could have major implications for the title race, also seems like a race against time for Ødegaard's recovery.

Given these challenges, Arteta faces difficult decisions regarding how to restructure his midfield in Ødegaard's absence. New signing Mikel Merino, who could have been a direct replacement, is himself sidelined with injury, leaving Arsenal short of depth in the midfield. As a result, the most likely solution would be to reposition Kai Havertz, who has experience playing deeper roles, allowing him to drop back into midfield. This adjustment would enable Arteta to utilize Gabriel Jesus in the forward position, although Leandro Trossard could also be called upon to fill the creative void left by Ødegaard.

In addition to Havertz, Arteta still has other midfield options in the form of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, both of whom bring valuable experience and stability to the team. However, neither possesses the same creative flair and forward-driving instincts as Ødegaard, which could leave Arsenal with a more pragmatic and defensively minded midfield for their upcoming fixtures. The next few weeks will be a test of Arteta’s ability to adapt and manage his squad during this challenging period, as Arsenal’s ambitions in both the Premier League and Europe depend heavily on how they cope with these absences.