Arsenal confirm Martin Ødegaard has medial collateral ligame...

Arsenal have confirmed that Martin Ødegaard has withdrawn from Norway’s squad for their games against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee in the 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.

Ødegaard went down clutching his knee after clashing with Crysencio Summerville in the first half at the Emirates and twice attempted to carry on after receiving treatment before being replaced by Martín Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta said after the match that Ødegaard had left the ground with his knee in a brace and the Arsenal manager admitted his captain was “not positive about it”.

But while Declan Rice is expected to meet up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week despite also being substituted against West Ham with a back problem, Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Ødegaard had withdrawn from the Norway squad and it is understood they are hopeful that he will only be out for weeks rather than months. “Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible,” Arsenal said in a statement.

Ødegaard has endured an injury-hit start to the new campaign after struggling with a shoulder injury that forced him off against Leeds and Nottingham Forest. He will join Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke on the sidelines, while the new signing Piero Hincapié is expected to return from a groin injury after the international break.