Arsenal will have to wait quite a while before Martin Ödegaard can play again. Coach Mikel Arteta’s words are also resonating in Norway.
Captain Martin Ödegaard will be out of action for Arsenal for even longer and may also miss Norway’s last two group games in World Cup qualifying. “It’s a matter of weeks. There is no date for his return, even though he is making good progress,” Arsenal team manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday, “we have to wait and see how things develop.”
Ödegaard suffered a medial ligament injury to his left knee in a collision during the home game against West Ham United (2-0) at the beginning of the month. The playmaker had already been struggling with shoulder problems on several occasions. After setbacks against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham, he had to be substituted before halftime in three consecutive games. “He’s had a lot of bad luck with injuries this season,” said Arteta.
Ödegaard has played a total of seven competitive games for the Gunners this season, six in the Premier League and one in the Champions League in the 2-0 win against Olympiacos. He has yet to score in either competition, but has provided one assist in each.
Due to his knee injury, Ödegaard missed Norway’s recent 5-0 win over Israel in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they are still unbeaten. In the next international break, the Group I leaders will face Estonia (November 13) and second-placed Italy (November 16).
Arteta defends struggling Gyökeres
In their away game at Fulham FC (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.), the Gunners will once again be able to call on Piero Hincapie, Ben White, and Martin Zubimendi, who have recently been struggling with injuries. Viktor Gyökeres will once again try his luck up front. The Swede has been waiting for a goal for six games, and even in the two games with the national team, the €73 million new signing was unable to break his duck. “He brings so much to the team, and when I look back at the games, I’m very happy with what he has given the team,” Arteta defended him.
