Odegaard issues injury update after he missed north London derby win & City draw

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has delivered an injury update after it was confirmed he would be out for a sustained period of time.

The midfielder limped off in the second half of his country's 2-1 win over Austria in the Nations League during the last internatioanl break in worrying signs for Gunners supporters and hasn't played since.

Manager Mikel Arteta refused to rule him out of the north London derby win over Tottenham just days later, but it has now been confirmed that he will be out for a 'while'.

Odegaard appeared to be in tears as he hobbled off the pitch, before he was later seen on crutches as he limped on to a private jet, with the issue described as a 'bad ankle injury'.

Now, however, he has spoken to Arsenal's club website, ensuring supporters that he is doing his best to return as soon as possible - though no timescale has been set on a return.

'It was a bad twist to my ankle, and I damaged some ligaments there, but it's part of football and now I'm just trying to recover as quickly as I can,' he said. 'I'm moving forward, making progress and I'm feeling more positive every day.

'I'm working hard and my only thought is to get back as soon as possible. I'm at the Sobha Realty Training Centre basically every day now, working hard and doing everything I can do to get better.

'I have to be careful not to push it too much, but at the same time do what I can to make sure I come back as strongly and quickly as possible.

'I'm trying to support the team in a different way now, if I can't be on the pitch. That's my situation, and I have to make the best out of it.'

Odegaard sufferent 'significant' ankle ligament damage playing for his country and has left Arsenal scratching their heads in terms of potential solutions to his absence.

Lenadro Trossard started both games so far in a midfield role, but was sent off just before half time against City. Many have called for Ethan Nwaneri to enjoy more minutes.

'It's something I'm not used to,' Odegaard said. 'I've been quite fortunate, if that's the word, or have done well to avoid injuries in the past, but this is football and I have to get on with it.

'I think it was unfortunate to get the injury in the way that I did, but also it could have been worse. It was not a nice twist, and when it happened I felt it could be serious. I've injured my ankle before and the pain felt a bit different this time.'

He added: 'That's what scared me, but from what happened it could have been worse, so in that sense I got away with it a bit.

'Like any player, the first thing I asked the medical team was how long I would be out for, but it's a bit tricky to say at the moment.

'In the early stages, it's crucial to get a proper rest and to make sure everything heals well. After that it's about getting stronger and building it up again.'