Arsenal give Odegaard injury update with captain set for spell on sidelines

MARTIN ODEGAARD has withdrawn from Norway duty and is set for another spell on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage against West Ham.

The Arsenal skipper was subbed off in the 30th minute of Saturday’s 2-0 victory over West Ham after clashing knees with Crysencio Summerville .

3 The Arsenal captain has battled with injuries all season Credit: Reuters

3 Odegaard had his hands on his head signalling a very serious injury or just disappointment Credit: Getty

It made him the first player in Prem history to be replaced before half time in three consecutive league starts having previously been brought off early against Leeds and Nottingham Forest with a shoulder issue.

As a result, he will now stay in London Colney for further tests on the issue, missing Norway’s World Cup qualifier against Israel on Saturday and a friendly against New Zealand next week.

A club statement said: “Martin Odegaard has been withdrawn from the Norway national team after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee.

“Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible.”

Odegaard joins the likes of Kai Havertz , Gabriel Jesus and Piero Hincapie in the Arsenal medical room.

But it's not all bad news with Declan Rice due to report for England duty on Monday despite hurting his back for Arsenal on Saturday.

The midfielder, 26, was substituted late on in the 2-0 win over West Ham after slumping to the ground clutching his back.

But the 68-cap star, who had opened the scoring in the London derby , is still expected to meet up with the Three Lions at St George’s Park today ahead of Thursday’s friendly at home to Wales and next week’s World Cup qualifier in Latvia.

He is set to be joined at the nation’s football base by Harry Kane , despite the England captain damaging his ankle at Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend.

Kane became the first player ever to score 11 goals in the first six games of the Bundesliga season in the 3-0 win, but was withdrawn with five minutes to go.

Yet after the game, the ex-Tottenham star, 32, said: “I’ll be at St George’s Park Monday. I’m OK, just contact on the bone.

“I had it a few weeks ago in one of the games and it’s just been recovering and I got hit right on the same spot. A few days and it should be fine.”

3 Rice also picked up a knock but he will be fit for England Credit: Reuters