Ødegaard Injury Deepens Arsenal Midfield Crisis

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is set to miss at least three weeks due to an ankle injury sustained during Norway's Nations League win over Austria. Initial scans indicate no fracture, but the injury requires a recovery period that will sideline him for crucial fixtures, including the north London derby against Tottenham, a Champions League match against Atalanta, and a Premier League clash with Manchester City. This comes at a challenging time for Arsenal, who are also missing Declan Rice due to suspension and Mikel Merino with a shoulder injury. Ødegaard's absence leaves a significant gap in Arsenal's midfield, with potential replacements like Jorginho and Thomas Partey likely to step in. The injury has sparked discussions on the physical toll of international fixtures, echoing previous criticisms from figures like Jurgen Klopp.