🚨BREAKING NEWS‼️ Just days after joining up with his national team, Arsenal have been hit with a major injury setback — their star man suffered a serious knock during training yesterday.

Arsenal have suffered a troubling setback just days after their captain joined his national team. Martin Ødegaard, the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s side, reportedly sustained an injury while training with Norway, sparking fresh fears at the Emirates. The midfielder, whose creativity and leadership drive Arsenal’s play, is expected to return to London immediately for scans to determine the severity of the problem.

 

Reports suggest the injury occurred during what seemed to be a routine session, when Ødegaard awkwardly twisted his knee following a collision. Medical personnel were quick to intervene, but the discomfort was serious enough to warrant a withdrawal from international duty. Arsenal’s medical department has already scheduled tests to understand the full extent of the damage and to plan his rehabilitation accordingly.

 

This latest injury scare reopens old wounds for the Gunners. Just last season, Ødegaard was forced out for several weeks due to an ankle injury, and his absence coincided with Arsenal’s slump in form that cost them dearly in their Premier League title chase. Without their captain’s vision and composure, the team struggled to maintain fluidity and lost crucial points in matches they would ordinarily have controlled.

 

Arsenal’s fitness troubles have been a recurring theme over the past few campaigns. This season alone, Arteta has had to juggle his lineup with absences from Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and newcomer Piero Hincapié. Despite these obstacles, the squad’s depth and Arteta’s tactical versatility have kept Arsenal competitive across all fronts, demonstrating a level of resilience not often seen in previous years.

 

Ødegaard’s performances this season have been marked by flashes of brilliance mixed with physical concerns. Earlier on, a shoulder injury limited his impact, and now a medial collateral ligament (MCL) issue threatens to sideline him again. He was even forced off before halftime in Arsenal’s recent 2–0 win over West Ham, a moment that underscored his ongoing struggle with fitness.

 

In fact, Ødegaard’s situation has led to an unwanted record — the first Premier League player ever to be substituted before halftime in three consecutive starts. The club hasn’t yet confirmed how long he’ll be out, but medical speculation suggests that recovery could range from three weeks for a mild strain to as long as ten weeks for a more serious ligament tear. This uncertainty leaves Arteta with a major tactical headache as crucial fixtures loom.

 

The Norwegian has already withdrawn from his national team’s World Cup qualifiers to prioritize recovery. Norway’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, expressed regret but acknowledged that Ødegaard’s long-term health must come first. Back in North London, Arsenal’s specialists will conduct detailed scans and outline a recovery plan designed to get their captain back to full strength without risking recurrence.

 

The coming weeks are packed with vital matches — a Premier League clash with Fulham, a Champions League showdown with Atlético Madrid, and domestic cup ties against Crystal Palace and Brighton. Ødegaard’s absence will test Arsenal’s depth and leadership, pushing players like Declan Rice, Fabio Vieira, and Emile Smith Rowe to step up creatively. For now, Arsenal fans can only hope that this injury is a minor detour rather than a major derailment in their captain’s season — and in the team’s pursuit of silverware.