Arsenal have been dealt a major injury setback as club captain Martin Ødegaard is not expected to return from a knee injury until after the November international break.

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Ødegaard Sidelined with MCL Injury

The 26-year-old midfielder suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during the Gunners’ 3–1 Premier League win over West Ham United on 4 October, forcing him to be substituted before halftime.

Arsenal confirmed the following day that their captain would miss the current international window but did not initially provide a clear recovery timeline.

However, it is now understood that Ødegaard’s recovery will take longer than first hoped, and he is set to remain unavailable until mid-to-late November.

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Matches Ødegaard Will Miss

Ødegaard’s absence will see him ruled out of several key fixtures across both the Premier League and Champions League, including:

• Premier League matches vs Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Sunderland
• Champions League group-stage ties vs Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague

His injury comes at a difficult time for Mikel Arteta, who continues to juggle fitness concerns with Arsenal’s congested autumn fixture list.

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Who Could Step Up in Ødegaard’s Absence?

With Ødegaard sidelined, Arteta could turn to Nwaneri, Eze or even Max Dowman to fill the creative void in midfield.

Ødegaard’s influence on Arsenal’s attacking play has been pivotal since he was handed the captain’s armband, and replacing his leadership and vision will be a major challenge as the team navigates a crucial run of fixtures.

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Recurring Injury Concerns

This is not the first fitness issue for Ødegaard this season. The Norwegian international has already been forced off early in three consecutive Premier League matches, raising concerns about his workload and long-term durability.

Arsenal fans will now be anxiously waiting to see if he can recover in time for the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur on 23 November, which falls immediately after the next international break.

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Norway Boosts World Cup Hopes

While Ødegaard remains sidelined for club duty, his national team enjoyed success without him. Norway took a big step toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrashing Israel 5–0 over the weekend.

If they secure qualification, it would mark Norway’s first appearance at a major international tournament since Euro 2000 — a milestone that Ødegaard will be eager to be part of once fit again.