Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard is set to remain on the sidelines until after the November international break as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
The Norwegian midfielder picked up a medial collateral ligament injury during Arsenal’s 4 October win over West Ham, forcing him off in the first half. The club confirmed the injury the following day, stating that he would miss the current international window, though no clear return date was given at the time.
Recent reports now suggest that the 26-year-old will not feature again until mid-November, meaning he is expected to miss Premier League fixtures against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sunderland, as well as Champions League clashes with Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague.
The setback is another blow for Mikel Arteta, who relies heavily on his captain’s creativity and leadership in midfield. Ødegaard’s season has been disrupted by recurring fitness issues, with the playmaker having to come off early in three consecutive Premier League matches.
Arsenal are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur immediately after the international break, and it remains uncertain whether Ødegaard will recover in time for the highly anticipated North London Derby on 23 November.
Meanwhile, Ødegaard’s national team, Norway, boosted its chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Israel on Saturday. If they secure qualification, it would mark their first appearance in a major international tournament since Euro 2000.
