ARSENAL star Martin Odegaard has been spotted boarding a private jet on crutches in a worrying injury blow ahead of Sunday’s derby against Tottenham.
The Gunners captain suffered a blow to his ankle while playing for Norway against Austria.
Odegaard went down after a 50/50 challenge with Christoph Baumgartner and was left writing in agony.
His pregnant girlfriend Helene Spilling was in the crowd and looked concerned as it became apparent Odegaard could not continue.
He eventually went off the field in tears as team-mates including Erling Haaland consoled him.
And Odegaard is now a huge doubt for Arsenal’s crunch clash against rivals Spurs this weekend, with Norway doctor Ola Sand saying: “He is on his way to London and will have an MRI there later today.
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“(My assessment?) Nothing but a strong overstepping and that we await what Arsenal find.”
The playmaker withdrew from Norway’s camp to return to London on Tuesday morning.
Odegaard took a private jet back to the capital to undergo a full assessment by Arsenal’s medical staff.
But the signs are not good as the ace needed crutches to get about.
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Odegaard appeared to grimace as he approached the plane’s steps while accompanied by a helper.
And Mikel Arteta will be praying for good news as his skipper prepares to undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury.
The Spaniard is already without Declan Rice through suspension.
Meanwhile, new signing Mikel Merino is sidelined for several months with a freak shoulder injury sustained during his first Arsenal training session following his summer transfer.
Arteta is sure to be even more subdued about the situation after Norway boss Stale Solbakken made an ill-timed joke about Odegaard’s setback on Monday night.
Solbakken said: “It looked very painful in the locker room. I saw that he was sitting with the physios around him and he had no chance to continue.
“We know that it is an ankle sprain. Those of us who have played football know with luck it can turn out OK – if the ligaments are not torn.
“But I am not really sure Arteta will call me tonight to praise me.”
With Odegaard set to be out of the derby against Spurs, Arsenal will likely have to shuffle their pack once more.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho already looked set to deputise in place of Rice and Merino.
And Odegaard’s absence could see Kai Havertz dropped to a deeper role.
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That may allow Raheem Sterling to make his debut after a deadline day loan move from Chelsea.
But Arteta does have other options, with youngster Ethan Nwaneri and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko also capable of slotting in.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
