Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will be back in action in a “matter of weeks”, but it is unlikely that he returns before next month’s international break.

Odegaard injured his ankle while playing for Norway in the Nations League earlier this month and Gunners boss Arteta confirmed last week that the 25-year-old had suffered “significant” ligament damage.

Arteta said at the time that he predicted Odegaard would be out for “a while” and he has already missed games against Atalanta, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Arteta has now given a further update on his skipper and confirmed that Odegaard will likely be absent for upcoming matches against Bolton, Leicester, Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton.

Asked if he had a timeframe for Odegaard’s return, Arteta said: “No, but I think it will be a matter of weeks. How long exactly, I cannot tell you.”

Pressed if Odegaard could be back before the international break next month, Arteta added: “We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely.”

Arsenal are also expected to be without Oleksandr Zinchenko for the next four games due to a calf injury.

The left-back picked up the injury while playing for Ukraine earlier this month and has not trained for Arsenal since.

“I think he will still be out for a few weeks,” said Arteta.