Arsenal could be without Martin Odegaard for “a while” after he was substituted with an injury while playing for Norway earlier this month.
The Arsenal captain missed the north London derby, which the Gunners won 1-0, after he arrived back in London on crutches.
Mikel Arteta was also without Declan Rice against Tottenham after the England international picked up a red card against Brighton.
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino is also out with a shoulder injury having not played a minute since signing from Real Sociedad in the summer.
The Gunners have already dropped points in their hunt to finally topple Manchester City, drawing 1-1 in the match against Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls, and head to the Etihad without Odegaard to face Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday.
What we know about Martin Odegaard’s injury so far
In the 67th minute of Norway’s eventual 2-1 Nations League win over Austria, Odegaard was slide-tackled by RB Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner.
He instantly appeared to be in pain, rolling around on the floor while grabbing his ankle.
Two team physios then treated him on the pitch before carrying him off, with the Norway captain clearly limping when walking unaided and appearing to hold back tears.
Post-match, Norway manager Stale Solbakken said: “It looked bad in the changing room. He had no chance of continuing. I’m not sure Arteta will call me tonight and praise me.”
Team doctor Ola Sand has since confirmed that Odegaard has avoided a broken ankle – but it is not all good news for Arsenal.
On 18 September, ahead of their Champions League opener at Atalanta, Arteta said it was “significant” ligament damage.
“After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. It’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while,” Arteta said.
How long is Martin Odegaard out for?
Sand had told Norwegian outlet VG that “such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks”, but Arteta’s suggestion of “a while” means a return before the end of September is unlikely, and his absence may even stretch through October as well.
After City, Arsenal host Bolton and Leicester before the end of September, and then welcome Paris Saint-Germain to the Emirates on 1 October.
Worryingly for Arsenal, Odegaard was also substituted against Brighton and later said he had taken “a couple of knocks”.
The 25-year-old has a history of this type of problem, with Sand adding: “He has had it [ankle injuries] before”.
“It is always a bit difficult to interpret an MRI image when you have had an old injury. But Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach. But this may still take some time.
“His response to the rehabilitation in the next few weeks is the most important. It will start carefully on the bike, carefully in relation to what he can tolerate from pain. Then you take it gradually.”
How Arsenal can replace Martin Odegaard
In short, this isn’t easy. Odegaard is a crucial figure for Arsenal. Against Spurs, a 4-4-2 saw Leandro Trossard start up front with Kai Havertz, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey in central midfield.
The return of Rice would likely see Arsenal revert to 4-3-3 against City, with a midfield three of the England international, plus Jorginho and Partey.