Martin Odegaard shares Arsenal injury update as positive new return timeframe emerges
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says he's "making progress" with his injury setback.
The playmaker suffered a blow to his ankle during September's international break. He was forced off 67 minutes into Norway's UEFA Nations League clash with Austria.
Odegaard has since missed the Gunners' last four matches - including the North London Derby and head-to-head with Manchester City - and he's expected to be side-lined until after October's international break.
Offering an update on the 25-year-old, Mikel Arteta recently remarked: "I think it will be a matter of weeks. How long exactly, I cannot tell you. We might get a surprise, but I think it's unlikely [he returns before the international break scheduled for October]."
Now, moving to provide an update on his condition, Odegaard has reassured supporters that he's on the mend as Arsenal have everything crossed for a speedy return to action.
Speaking in his programme notes ahead of Arsenal's 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers, the former Real Madrid man said: "It was a bad twist to my ankle and I damaged some ligaments there, but it's part of football and now I'm just trying to recover as quickly as I can."
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Odegaard, 25, added: "I'm moving forward, making progress and I'm feeling more positive every day. I'm working hard and my only thought is to get back as soon as possible.
"I've injured my ankle before and the pain felt [this time] a bit different this time. That's what scared me, but from what happened it could have been worse, so in that sense I got away with it a bit."
It's not only Arsenal who've been dealt some bad news in the midfield department, however, after the news that City are likely to be without Rodri for the remainder of the campaign.
The Spanish talisman hurt his knee during last Sunday afternoon's 2-2 draw with the Gunners and City have, since then, confirmed the severity of his condition. A statement from City read: "Manchester City can confirm that Rodri has suffered a ligament injury to his right knee.
"The injury was sustained during the first half of this weekend's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League. The midfielder travelled to Spain to seek specialist consultation, following our initial tests in Manchester. Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and [the] expected prognosis."