Charles Watts provided a positive injury update on Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard during the latest video on his YouTube channel.
The Real Madrid loanee has made a solid start to life at the Emirates Stadium after arriving from the reigning Spanish champions on a short-term deal in January.
He’s started five Premier League games under Mikel Arteta, playing a big part in recent weeks, finding the back of the net against Tottenham Hotspur during the north London derby after scoring a stunning strike in the Europa League last-16 tie with Olympiacos.
However, with Arsenal made to sweat over the 22-year-old’s fitness after he injured his ankle while on international duty, Watts revealed that the issue is only a minor one.
He said: “We’ll start with Martin Odegaard because that’s probably the most pressing news of the day. I’m sure you all joined me in exhaling last night when you saw that picture of his ankle twisting underneath his leg while he was in action for Norway against Gibraltar.
“That was about 40 minutes into the game, he managed to get up after treatment and sort of limp through the last five minutes of the first half, but he was substituted. There was certainly a lot of nervousness going around social media, as we kind of waited to hear what the Norway manager, or someone, had to say after the match.
“And it looks like it’s good news, fortunately, fingers crossed that stays that way. But at the moment, the issue doesn’t look too bad.
“It certainly looked pretty nasty in the picture, the way it was twisted underneath him. As soon as you see pictures like that, you start thinking, ‘Oh no, ligaments, you know, what’s he done, what’s he done, is he going to be out for six weeks, is he out for two months, what’s he done?’
“But, himself, Martin Odegaard, speaking after the game to Norway media, said: ‘I twisted my ankle, but I think I’ll be fit for the game against Turkey on Saturday.’ So, if that is the case, then that certainly suggests it’s not a bad one at all.”
TIF Thoughts on Odegaard…
The Norway international was recently named as the captain of his country, despite his tender years, and is, therefore, likely to want to play some part in his nation’s remaining World Cup qualifiers this week.
Arsenal fans will be hoping he doesn’t suffer any more damage to his ankle against Turkey or Montenegro as they continue to fight for European qualification, especially his recent form.
There’s been talk of Arteta’s side making the deal for Odegaard permanent in the coming months, but the attacking midfielder recently revealed nothing has been agreed as he looks for ‘stability and development‘ in the next stage of his career, and we’re sure many Gunners fans will be hoping he can find those things at the Emirates Stadium for years to come.