Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard Eyes Comeback: Latest Recovery Updates and Return Timeline Revealed
Approximately twelve months ago, Martin Ødegaard suffered an ankle problem that compelled Mikel Arteta to rely heavily on Arsenal's physical attributes.
The skipper's eight-week layoff resulted in a three-match winless streak in the Premier League that established the foundation for a lackluster domestic season in north London, highlighting the Gunners' clear dependency on their primary creative force.
Fitness problems would eventually undermine Arsenal's quest to secure their first championship in more than two decades, and they've posed a threat to dampen their anticipated charge at the beginning of this campaign. Mikel Arteta is presently missing Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and late signing Piero Hincapié, yet the championship contenders have remained unfazed.
Despite their skipper, whose inventive brilliance has only appeared intermittently this season, continuing to face physical setbacks, Arsenal's summer recruitment activity coupled with Arteta's tactical development has prevented any significant decline in performance.
A shoulder problem has troubled Ødegaard recently, but it was a typical collision of knees that caused his downfall in Saturday's 2–0 victory against West Ham United. Though it was a contact-related injury, Arsenal have subsequently issued a rather worrying update about the setback.
When Will Martin Ødegaard Return From Injury?
The Gunners verified that their captain suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) problem in Saturday's victory. His enforced substitution meant Ødegaard became the first player in Premier League history to be replaced before the interval in three successive starts.
Arsenal have yet to establish a timeline for his possible comeback, with "additional evaluation" required to determine the severity of the injury.
Ødegaard has pulled out of the Norway squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
The most optimistic outcome for the Gunners would be a Grade 1 injury, which would probably see Ødegaard back within three weeks. A Grade 2 injury might result in more than a month absent, while a Grade 3 injury could sideline him for up to ten weeks.
Arsenal return to action on October 18 away against Fulham, while Atlético Madrid travel to the Emirates for a potentially thrilling Champions League encounter in Gameweek 3 of the league phase. Arteta's team also meet Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup before November arrives.