Team Confirm Ødegaard Suffers MCL Damage

The club has announced that Martin Ødegaard has pulled out from Norway’s squad for upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the 2-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday.

Ødegaard collapsed holding his knee after a challenge from Crysencio Summerville during the opening period at the Emirates and tried repeatedly to continue playing after receiving treatment before being substituted by Martín Zubimendi. The manager said post-game that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee supported and admitted his captain was “not positive about it.”

But while Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week 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 believed they are optimistic that he will only be sidelined briefly rather than months. “Ødegaard will continue to be assessed and treated by our staff during the break, with the goal of a comeback as soon as possible,” the club said in a release.

Ødegaard has experienced an unlucky beginning to the new campaign after dealing with a shoulder injury that forced him off against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will be alongside several teammates on the injury list, while the new signing Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin issue after the international break.