Martin Ødegaard Withdraws from Norway Squad Following Arsenal Injury Diagnosis

Martin Ødegaard injury confirmed as Arsenal captain withdraws from Norway squad after suffering knee ligament damage vs West Ham.

Norway has officially confirmed that Martin Ødegaard will not participate in their upcoming international fixtures after Arsenal revealed the extent of the midfielder’s latest injury—a medial collateral ligament (MCL) issue in his left knee.

The Norwegian Football Federation announced Ødegaard’s withdrawal from the squad ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Israel and a friendly against New Zealand. This decision follows Arsenal’s medical update, which stated that the club captain sustained the injury during the first half of their 2–0 Premier League win over West Ham United.

Ødegaard’s absence is a significant blow to Norway, who rely heavily on his creativity and leadership in midfield. The team will now have to adjust their tactical setup without their captain, as they aim to secure crucial points in their qualifying campaign.

Arsenal’s Medical Update

Arsenal confirmed that Ødegaard will remain in London for treatment at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. The club has yet to announce a specific recovery timeline for Ødegaard. The medical team plans to assess him in the international break, aiming for a swift return.

Ødegaard has now left the pitch before halftime in three consecutive home games, after earlier shoulder issues disrupted the beginning of his 2025–26 season.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern, noting that Ødegaard had been wearing a brace and was “not positive about it” after the match.

Arsenal’s Broader Injury Concerns

Ødegaard’s injury compounds Arsenal’s growing list of fitness issues. Midfielder Declan Rice was also substituted during the West Ham match due to back pain, although he is still expected to join the England squad for their upcoming fixtures.

Arteta acknowledged the challenges of losing key players, emphasizing Ødegaard’s importance: “He’s our captain and is a player that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attacking”.

While Ødegaard’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, both Arsenal and Norway will be closely monitoring his progress. His absence from international duty allows for focused rehabilitation, but fans and analysts alike will be watching for updates as the Premier League season continues.

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