“Huge blow” – Journalist drops disturbing update on Martin Odegaard’s injury

Martin Odegaard had to drop out against Austria due to an ankle injury.

The Norwegian midfielder was forced to withdraw from Monday evening’s Nations League match after 67 minutes due to a sprained ankle.

The Arsenal playmaker has now been ruled out of Sunday’s north London derby and will line up alongside the suspended Declan Rice following the Englishman’s red card against Brighton last game.

Martin Odegaard injury: Worrying update for Arsenal midfielder

Concerns are mounting over Odegaard’s recent injury and according to journalist Martin Hardy the setback for the 25-year-old could be even worse than initially feared.

“Yes, it is a huge blow and even the sounds that are trying to be positive suggest that it is damage to the tyres,” Hardy said this on the Sky Sports Back Pages Podcast, as quoted by TBR Football.

“If he has a ligament injury he will be out for the next few games, let alone an important game so early in the season on Sunday.

“You’ve lost two-thirds of the midfield that’s so important to Mikel Arteta. On the other hand, it could depend on whether Dominic Solanke is fit. The game could depend on which players both teams can get out.”

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Odegaard’s exclusion from Mikel Arteta’s squad to play against arch-rivals Spurs is a huge setback for the Spaniard, who will be hoping to bounce back with a win after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Brighton.

With both Odegaard and Rice missing, Arteta must find a way to deploy his midfield without losing his balance and control.

Jorginho and Thomas Partey are likely to start in midfield, while Kai Havertz could drop back to replace the injured Odegaard.

Sunday’s blockbuster match, which kicks off at 2pm (UK time), will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.