Martin Odegaard forced to use crutches as he limps onto private jet after picking up 'bad ankle injury' just six days before Arsenal's north London derby

Martin Odegaard forced to use crutches as he limps onto private jet after picking up 'bad ankle injury' just six days before Arsenal's north London derby
By: dailymail Posted On: September 10, 2024 View: 94

  • Martin Odegaard was pictured limping onto a private jet at Oslo airport
  • Odegaard suffered an ankle injury days before Arsenal's Spurs clash
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Martin Odegaard has been pictured limping onto a private jet at Oslo airport after sustaining an injury while away on international duty with Norway. 

Odegaard suffered an ankle injury following a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner and was in tears as he was taken off 67 minutes into their 2-1 win over Austria on Monday. 

He appeared to be in agony as he fell to the floor and clutched his ankle before being aided off the pitch by the Norway medical team. 

The 25-year-old playmaker has since been pictured by Norwegian outlet VG at Oslo airport ahead of his return to Arsenal, making his way onto a private jet while using a set of crutches.

Odegaard was helped up the stairs of the Honda HA-420 plane by the pilot as his girlfriend Helene Spilling followed behind holding their dog in her arms. 

Martin Odegaard was taken off with an ankle injury on Norway duty in a blow for Arsenal
The midfielder appeared to be in agony after a slide tackle from Christoph Baumgartner
Erling Haaland was among the players to console Odegaard, who looked to be in tears

Odegaard cut a glum figure as he approached the steps of the plane wearing a grey sweatshirt and a pair of black trousers with a designer rucksack on his back. 

The 25-year-old, who handed his crutches to the pilot as he hopped up the stairs, was doing everything he could to avoid putting weight on his left foot.  

The news of Odegaard's injury will come as a blow for the Gunners, who face Tottenham in the first North London derby of the season in just five days' time.

'Martin Odegaard’s injury looked bad in the dressing room,' said Norway head coach Stale Solbakken after the game on Monday night.  

National team doctor Ola Sand told TV2: 'He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it. If we are unsure, there will be an MRI.'

Solbakken also revealed they are expecting Odegaard to be ruled out of the next international break in October. Norway host Slovenia on October 10 and travel to Austria three days later.

The Norway boss said they were 'in contact with the Arsenal doctor' already and claims they will continue to speak in the build-up to the international. 

Odegaard could miss crucial matches for Arsenal, including the trip to champions Manchester City and Champions League games against Atalanta and PSG. 

Odegaard's girlfriend Helene Spilling was in the stands for Norway's clash with Austria
Spilling, who is pregnant, looked concerned as her partner was taken off with a bad injury
Depending on the severity of Odegaard's injury, it could leave Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with a huge midfield headache

Odegaard's girlfriend was in the stands to witness the incident and appeared visibly distressed as medical staff helped the Arsenal midfielder limp off the field.

The Gunners captain revealed he and Spilling, a dancer from Norway, are expecting a child in a post on social media a week ago.

The Instagram post - captioned 'can't wait to meet you, our little baby' - showed off Spilling's bump as the couple embraced for a photograph by the sea. 

Depending on the severity of Odegaard's injury, it could leave Mikel Arteta with a huge midfield headache. 

Declan Rice is suspended for the Spurs clash after his controversial red card against Brighton while £33million summer signing Mikel Merino is also injured

Odegaard's girlfriend Spilling (pictured above) is a dancer and TV personality from Norway
She is known for her appearances on Skal vi danse, the Norwegian version of Dancing with the Stars

Merino suffered a fractured shoulder in his first training session, meaning Arteta could be left with Thomas Partey and Jorginho to start in midfield against Spurs. 

The Gunners are enduring an injury crisis, who are also bemoaning the freak injury of £42m man Riccardo Calafiori. 

The left-back suffered an ankle injury when Ousmane Dembele accidentally studded him after a challenge from Alessandro Bastoni during Italy's Nations League win over France on Friday night.

The game against Spurs will be crucial as Arsenal sit fourth in the table after two wins and a draw while Tottenham have four points after their three matches. 

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