In a concerning turn of events, Martin Odegaard was spotted limping his way onto a private jet at Oslo airport following an injury he sustained while playing for Norway.
The injury occurred during an international match against Austria, where a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner left Odegaard in visible distress.
A Painful Departure
Odegaard, who was in tears after the tackle, had to be assisted off the pitch 67 minutes into Norway’s 2-1 victory.
He was clearly in agony as he fell to the ground, clutching his injured ankle before being helped off by the team’s medical staff.
A Dismal Return
The 25-year-old Arsenal playmaker was later seen by Norwegian outlet VG at Oslo airport, making his way onto a private jet with the aid of crutches.
His girlfriend, Helene Spilling, accompanied him, carrying their dog as they boarded the Honda HA-420 plane.
Odegaard, dressed in a grey sweatshirt and black trousers, looked glum as he used the crutches to avoid putting weight on his injured foot.
A Setback for Arsenal
This injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, especially with their upcoming North London derby against Tottenham in just five days.
Norway’s head coach, Stale Solbakken, expressed concern, saying, “Martin Odegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room.”
National team doctor Ola Sand added that Odegaard suffered a minor ankle sprain, with further scans potentially needed to assess the full extent of the damage.
Personal Impact
Odegaard’s girlfriend, Spilling, who is a dancer from Norway, was visibly upset as she watched the incident unfold.
The couple had recently shared exciting news on social media, revealing they are expecting their first child.
The Instagram post, showcasing Spilling’s baby bump, was filled with anticipation and joy.
Midfield Dilemma for Arsenal
Depending on the severity of the injury, Odegaard’s absence could leave Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with a significant midfield problem.
Declan Rice is suspended for the Spurs match due to a red card, and summer signing Mikel Merino is also out with a fractured shoulder.
This leaves Arteta potentially relying on Thomas Partey and Jorginho for the crucial game against Tottenham.
Broader Injury Crisis
Arsenal’s injury woes extend beyond Odegaard, with Riccardo Calafiori also sidelined due to an ankle injury from a challenge involving Ousmane Dembele and Alessandro Bastoni.
As Arsenal currently sit fourth in the table, the match against Spurs is crucial, especially with Tottenham trailing just behind.
Future Concerns
Norway’s coach, Solbakken, has expressed concern that Odegaard might miss both the Arsenal-Spurs clash and Norway’s next international fixture against Slovenia on October 10.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing communication between the Norway and Arsenal medical teams to monitor Odegaard’s recovery.
What lies ahead for Odegaard and Arsenal will depend heavily on the results of further medical assessments and the player’s recovery progress.
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