Liam Duckstein
Arsenal have released an official statement confirming that captain Martin Odegaard has sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, following his early substitution during the Gunners’ 2-0 victory over West Ham United on Saturday.
Odegaard’s record-breaking early substitution
The Norwegian playmaker was forced off just half an hour into the match after a knee-on-knee collision with Crysencio Summerville. Despite attempting to continue, Odegaard eventually signalled to the bench and was replaced by Martin Zubimendi. The change marked an unwanted Premier League record — Odegaard became the first player to be substituted in the first half of three consecutive league starts, following similar withdrawals against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest due to shoulder issues.
Initially expected to join up with the Norway national team that evening, Odegaard reportedly postponed his flight to remain in London for further medical tests.
Official Arsenal statement confirms MCL injury
The club’s fears have now been confirmed. In a statement, Arsenal wrote: “Martin Odegaard has been withdrawn from the Norway national team for their upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the first half in Saturday’s win over West Ham United.”
They added: “Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible.”
While the statement offers no timeline for recovery, Arsenal’s cautious approach to injury communication under Mikel Arteta means supporters shouldn’t expect a clear return date until the next press conference.
How many Arsenal games could Odegaard miss?
Odegaard’s withdrawal from international duty suggests that his issue is more serious than a mild Grade 1 sprain, which typically resolves within a few days. Should it be classified as a Grade 2 injury, the midfielder may face a spell of several weeks on the sidelines.
That could see him miss up to seven fixtures across domestic and European competitions: Fulham (Oct 18), Atletico Madrid (Oct 21), Crystal Palace (Oct 26), Brighton (Oct 29), Burnley (Nov 1), Slavia Prague (Nov 4), and Sunderland (Nov 8).
In a worst-case scenario, a Grade 3 tear could sideline Odegaard for up to 12 weeks. However, the fact that he managed to play on briefly before substitution is a positive indicator that such a severe outcome is unlikely.
What it means for Arsenal
With Arsenal chasing both Premier League and Champions League success, losing their captain and creative engine is a significant blow. Odegaard’s ability to control tempo, dictate play between the lines, and press from the front has been central to Arteta’s tactical setup. Expect Fabio Vieira or Emile Smith Rowe to step in should Odegaard be unavailable for the upcoming fixtures.
Arsenal fans will hope for encouraging news from the medical team in the coming days — and a swift return for their midfield maestro as the Gunners enter a defining phase of the season.