Norway players’ anger at Baumgartner after Odegaard injury | OneFootball

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is set to miss at least three weeks after sustaining an ankle injury during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Austria.

The injury has caused significant frustration among Norwegian players, particularly directed at Austrian midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, whose challenge led to Ødegaard’s painful exit from the match.

Baumgartner draws Norwegian anger – Dresdner Morgenpost 11 Sep 2024

In the second half, Baumgartner, currently with RB Leipzig, overextended while chasing a ball after a throw-in and ran into Ødegaard. The Arsenal star collapsed in agony, clutching his ankle before he was substituted off.

Norway’s players were visibly shaken by the incident, and anger brewed towards Baumgartner.

Norwegian defender Leo Østigard voiced his displeasure with the tackle after the match, telling Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he wished he could have had a challenge with Baumgartner to show him what it was like. When asked to elaborate on what he meant, he simply responded, “I’m not going to say that here.”

After the game, the focus quickly shifted from Norway’s win, sealed by Erling Haaland‘s decisive goal, to concerns over Ødegaard’s health. Photos published by Verdens Gang showed the midfielder limping onto a private plane in Oslo the following morning, with crutches in hand.

He immediately returned to London, where Arsenal’s medical staff are conducting further assessments, including an MRI, to determine the full extent of the injury.

MUNICH, GERMANY: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks dejected after the team’s defeat and elimination from the UEFA Champions League during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Allianz Arena on April 17, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

For Arsenal, the timing could not be worse. Ødegaard’s absence means he will miss key upcoming fixtures, including the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and the club’s Champions League opener next week.

His participation in Arsenal’s crucial clash against Manchester City on 22 September is also in doubt.

Norwegian national team doctor Ola Sand attempted to calm fears by explaining that initial scans suggest no fracture, but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. “Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer,” Sand told VG. He noted that further tests would clarify the recovery timeline but added that if there had been a fracture, Ødegaard would have faced at least six weeks out.

The injury to Ødegaard is the latest blow to Arsenal’s midfield, which is already missing key players. His creativity and leadership have been central to the club’s form this season, and manager Mikel Arteta will be forced to navigate this difficult period without his captain.

Ødegaard, who has experienced similar ankle issues in the past, will undergo rehabilitation, with a focus on a careful recovery process. “Regardless of the MRI images, his response to the rehabilitation in the next few weeks is the most important. It will start carefully on the bike, carefully in relation to what he can tolerate from pain. Then you take it gradually,” Sand explained.

In 2021, Ødegaard suffered a similar ankle injury while playing for Norway against Gibraltar, which saw him return after 17 days. Arsenal and their fans will hope for a similar recovery timeline, but there remains uncertainty over how long the midfielder will be out.

As Norway’s players direct their anger towards Baumgartner, Arsenal now face a crucial wait to see when their captain can return.

Both Arsenal and Norway will be closely monitoring Ødegaard’s progress, but for now, the club must prepare to tackle vital upcoming fixtures without one of their key players.