Scans reveal extent of Arsenal star’s injury after international scare
Arsenal have received an encouraging update on Martin Odegaard after scans showed no major damage to the ankle injury he suffered on international duty with Norway.
Odegaard was left in significant pain following the incident and was subsequently seen limping as he left the Ullevaal Stadion, raising concerns over his availability for Arsenal.
However, Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland has now revealed that examinations carried out by national team doctor Ola Sand found nothing particularly concerning.
“Ola Sand has that under control,” Hangeland said. “As far as I understood, there was nothing dramatic in those images.
“The most important thing is that the guy is feeling better. The images show a snapshot, while he’s still recovering. And the progress is positive.”
The development represents a significant boost for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, although Odegaard has not yet been declared fully fit.
The 27-year-old missed Norway’s group training session on Tuesday as he continued to recover from the problem.
Hangeland said earlier in the day that Odegaard was already experiencing less pain and remained in contention to face Wales in Cardiff on Thursday.
Norway are therefore prepared to give their captain time before deciding whether he can feature, with another Nations League fixture against Portugal to follow on Sunday.
Manager Stale Solbakken has also confirmed that Norway’s medical department is communicating with Arsenal over Odegaard’s condition and workload.
The midfielder initially expressed hope that the injury would settle within a few days after the Portugal defeat, despite strongly criticising Silva’s challenge.
Arsenal will be particularly keen to avoid another significant injury during the international period after Kai Havertz returned to London with a muscle problem sustained while representing Germany.
Havertz underwent scans after being forced off against the Netherlands, with Germany confirming his withdrawal from their squad.
Odegaard’s positive scan therefore eases some of the concern surrounding Arteta’s squad ahead of the return of domestic football.
The midfielder’s involvement against Wales remains uncertain, but the absence of major structural damage provides Arsenal with hope that the latest setback will prove short-lived.
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