Team Confirm Ødegaard Has Medial Collateral Ligament Injury

Arsenal have confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has pulled out from the national team for upcoming matches against New Zealand and Israel after suffering a MCL damage to his left knee in the win over West Ham this past weekend.

Ødegaard collapsed holding his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to carry on after receiving treatment before being eventually replaced by Martín Zubimendi. The manager said post-game that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee in a brace and stated his captain was “pessimistic about it.”

Although Declan Rice is expected to meet up with the national team in the coming days despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back issue, Arsenal announced that Ødegaard had pulled out from the Norway squad and it is understood they are hopeful that he will only be out for weeks rather than a long period. “Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our staff during the break, with the goal of a comeback as soon as possible,” Arsenal said in a statement.

Ødegaard has experienced an injury-hit start to the season after dealing with a shoulder problem that caused him to leave against two opponents. He will be alongside Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke on the injury list, while the recent acquisition Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin injury after the international break.