Martin Ødegaard will miss Arsenal’s Champions League opener against Athletic Club on Tuesday after suffering a recurrence of his shoulder injury in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The captain landed awkwardly following a first-half challenge, clutching his right shoulder before attempting to play on. Within minutes he signalled to the bench that he could not continue, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side without their captain once more.
The incident echoed his earlier injury against Leeds last month, when he fell heavily on the same joint and was forced off before half-time. Scans then showed no fracture or dislocation, and Ødegaard returned for Liverpool and Norway before breaking down again at the Emirates.
Arteta confirmed on Monday that he had not travelled to Bilbao. Asked if the midfielder could feature, he told reporters: “No, he’s back home.”
After the Forest game, the manager admitted the recurrence was frustrating. “I think it is the same shoulder he had last time he was uncomfortable to continue. That’s a shame because he played with the national team, he was feeling good and suddenly something happened again.”
Pressed on the nature of the setback then, Arteta added: “I don’t know if it’s exactly the same place but it’s a very similar injury. He wasn’t comfortable continuing, he’s played two games with Norway, unfortunately he cannot carry on today. So we have to assess him with the doctors and see but I’m sure he will try his best to be fit for Tuesday.”
Clearly, that assessment did not go well with Ødegaard also missing training on Monday.