Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard has been sidelined with a damaged ankle ligament, confirmed by manager Mikel Arteta after the player was injured while on international duty. Arteta expressed hope that the injury would not keep Ødegaard out for too long, but scans revealed significant damage.

“After everything was scanned, the scan showed he has got some damage, especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle,” said Arteta. “We are going to miss him. I don’t want to [give a timeline] because I am not a doctor but yes, it is something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months, but let’s see.”

The absence of Ødegaard meant he did not travel with the team to face Atalanta in the Champions League, but there was a silver lining with Riccardo Calafiori declared fit to play despite returning early from international duty with an injury. Bukayo Saka, who was taken off early against Tottenham, is also available for selection.

However, Arteta acknowledged the challenge of playing without their captain against Manchester City in the upcoming match. “He is our captain, he is one of our biggest players without a doubt. Our identity is very related to his way of playing and his way of behaving,” Arteta said. “We are going to have to deal with that. That is a great test for the team as well, of how capable we are to show maybe a different face and the fact we have other players and other options that can still be very effective.”