Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed Martin Odegaard has suffered a "quite significant" ankle ligament injury.

Speaking in Italy, at Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium, ahead of the Gunners Champions League clash on Thursday evening in Bergamo, Arteta admitted his captain could be missing for a "while."

The talented 25-year-old midfielder limped off during Norway's Nations League win over Austria on Monday, September 9.

Speaking on Wednesday evening a disappointed Arteta said: "It's something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while.

"Hopefully not months."

Odegaard had gone down in pain during international duty for Norward after a foul by Christoph Baumgartner hurt his left ankle, midway through the second half 

The creative midfielder with a fierce work rate returned to Arsenal for an MRI scan, subsequently missing his side's stirring 1-0 victory at Spurs in the north London derby last Sunday.

Arteta added: "The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle so we are going to miss him." 

Odegaard's injury means the 25-year-old will miss the Gunners opening Champions League clash this week, as well as the Premier League visit to leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta here in Bergamo confirms the injury to Martin Odegaard is a ligament issue and will be out for a while. The Gunners boss refuses to put a return date but admits it is “significant” pic.twitter.com/saXkXqJ6uJ

— Layth (@laythy29) September 18, 2024