Martin Ødegaard Provides Update on Ankle Injury: ‘Making Progress’ Despite Ligament Damage
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has confirmed that he suffered ligament damage from a serious ankle injury, but he is optimistic about his recovery and is already seeing progress.
Ødegaard sustained the injury while playing for Norway in a Nations League match against Austria earlier this month, which forced him to exit the game and has since kept him sidelined for Arsenal’s last three fixtures, including the significant north London derby and a clash against Manchester City.
In his programme notes for the recent Carabao Cup match against Bolton Wanderers, Ødegaard described the injury as a “bad twist” to his ankle and acknowledged the ligaments involved.
While Arsenal has not provided a definitive timeline for his return, reports suggest he may be out for approximately eight weeks.
He expressed his determination to recover quickly, stating, “I’m moving forward, making progress and I’m feeling more positive every day.”
Ødegaard has been spending nearly every day at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, working diligently to regain his fitness, while being cautious not to push himself too hard. He also mentioned that he is trying to support his teammates off the pitch during his recovery.
Reflecting on the injury, Ødegaard described the moment as “unfortunate” and “scary,” noting that he felt a unique pain in his ankle as he left the field.
He admitted that he had been fortunate to avoid serious injuries in the past but recognized that such setbacks are part of football. “It was not a nice twist, and when it happened I felt it could be serious,” he said, but acknowledged that it could have been worse.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has commented on the challenge of coping without Ødegaard, recognizing his importance to the team as they aim for a title challenge and success in the Champions League.
Arteta mentioned that the scan revealed damage around the ligaments in Ødegaard’s ankle, confirming that the team would indeed miss his contributions during his absence.
Martin Ødegaard Provides Update on Ankle Injury: ‘Making Progress’ Despite Ligament Damage
