Martin Odegaard: Arsenal captain to miss Tottenham and Man City games after being ruled out for 'at least three weeks'

Arsenal will be without captain Martin Odegaard for "at least three weeks" after he picked up an injury on international duty with Norway. Norway team doctor Ola Sand said the midfielder could be out for "six weeks plus" if a fracture is discovered, although early scans were promising. The Gunners will be without their skipper for Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to miss the north London derby against Tottenham after suffering an injury on international duty that will keep him sidelined for "at least three weeks".

The midfielder limped off during Norway’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Austria on Monday and was pictured on crutches after the game. 

He returned to London on Tuesday to undergo scans, which suggested there is no fracture to his ankle, but Norway team doctor Ola Sand’s prognosis believes he will miss several weeks at best.  

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"Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus and then it can take longer,” Sand told VG. 

"What we have so far obtained from the MRI examination in London is that there is probably no fracture in the ankle. 

"Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach, but this may still take some time. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus." 

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Odegaard is an influential player for the Gunners and will now be absent during a crucial run of early-season fixtures.  

Mikel Arteta’s side face Tottenham away on Sunday in the Premier League, before opening their UEFA Champions League campaign away to Atalanta next Thursday.  

A trip to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City follows, before Arsenal face Bolton in the League Cup, Leicester City in the Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain in Europe in the next three weeks. 

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Odegaard’s absence will leave Arsenal particularly short in midfield for Sunday’s trip across north London, as Declan Rice is suspended following his red card against Brighton and new signing Mikel Merino is injured. 

Odegaard helped Arsenal get off to a strong start to the season, beating Wolves and Aston Villa before a draw with Brighton in their opening three league games. 

Odegaard scored 11 goals and contributed 11 assists for Arsenal in 48 matches across all competitions last season.  

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