Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard suffered a fresh injury setback during Saturday’s Premier League game against West Ham.
The Norway international has struggled to maintain his fitness over the course of the opening weeks of the campaign.
Two shoulder injuries had restricted the skipper to just three Premier League starts, but he returned to the starting line-up against Olympiacos in midweek and produced a superb man of the match display.
Odegaard started at the heart of his side’s midfield against the Hammers on Saturday but lasted just 30 minutes.
The 26-year-old took a blow to his knee and booted the ball out of play in frustration.
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Odegaard attempted to play through the pain barrier but was unable to continue and was replaced by Martin Zubimendi.
Speaking about his injury woes ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game on Wednesday, Odegaard said: From a personal point of view, it felt so good to be back.
‘I feel like I haven’t played too much this season, so I was really keen to get back – especially in this game.
‘It’s a bit of a different situation, because this is not like an injury where you’re not fit and then you are fit, but the shoulder feels good now.
‘It’s been two weeks and I feel a lot stronger. The pain is fine now, it’s been more about getting that strength back and I really feel like I’m back there now.
‘So hopefully I can get back into the rhythm and get some more minutes in games consistently.’