Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Martin Odegaard is unlikely to return to action before the international break next month.
Odegaard suffered an ankle injury on international duty with Norway earlier this month and has missed the last two Premier League games against Tottenham and Manchester City respectively.
The Gunners captain has damaged a ligament in his ankle and has been expected to be out for a while before he is fit to get on the pitch again.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken provided some hope that he could be back sooner when he indicated that he is not counting Odegaard out for his side’s Nations League games next month.
Even Odegaard didn’t rule out the surprise of the Arsenal captain returning to action earlier than expected but he is not counting on miracles.
The Arsenal boss stressed Odegaard is unlikely to return before the October break
Arteta insisted that he still cannot put a definite timeline for Odegaard’s return but stressed that it is a matter of weeks and not months before he gets back on the pitch.
However, he is not expecting any surprises and the midfielder is unlikely to return before the October break no matter what Norway coach Solbakken is planning.
“I think it will be a matter of weeks, but how long exactly I cannot tell”, Arteta said in a press conference.
“We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely he’ll be back before the international break.”
Arsenal have picked up four points from their two Premier League games without Odegaard but many believe without the captain, the team lack some creativity in the middle of the park.
The Gunners have games against Bolton in the Carabao Cup, Leicester and Southampton in the Premier League and also a big Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain before the international break next month.
Arteta will hope that his side keep picking up the results they need before Odegaard returns to the team.
