Team Confirm Ødegaard Has Medial Collateral Ligament Damage

Arsenal have confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has pulled out from the national team for upcoming matches against New Zealand and Israel after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee during the win over their opponents this past weekend.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after a challenge from Crysencio Summerville during the opening period at the Emirates and twice attempted to continue playing after receiving treatment before being substituted by Martín Zubimendi. The manager said post-game that Ødegaard had departed the stadium with his knee supported and admitted his captain was “not positive about it.”

Although Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week despite also being replaced against West Ham with a back issue, Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had pulled out from the Norway squad and it is understood they are optimistic that he will only be sidelined briefly rather than months. “Martin will continue to be assessed and cared for by our medical team during the international window, with the aim of a comeback as soon as possible,” the club said in a statement.

Ødegaard has endured an injury-hit start to the season after dealing with a shoulder injury that forced him off against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will be alongside Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke on the injury list, while the new signing Piero Hincapié is likely to come back from a groin injury after the international break.