Report provides Martin Odegaard injury update ahead of Arsenal's UCL clash against Atalanta

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has reportedly seen a specialist to assess the extent of the injury he suffered during the last international break. The attacking midfielder sustained an ankle injury while representing Norway earlier this month, giving a major blow to the Gunners.

Odegaard could be sidelined for a while, meaning he could miss several high-profile games for Arsenal in the coming weeks. He already missed the Gunners' short trip across north London to face Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Mikel Arteta's side secured a 1-0 win in the North London derby despite missing their key playmaker. Odegaard is also expected to miss the Gunners' UEFA Champions League opener against Atalanta and their massive Premier League faceoff against Manchester City.

However, Arsenal have now received a major boost with the former Real Madrid star making a big step in his recovery. As per The Evening Standard via TBR Football, the Norwegian has consulted a specialist although the results are yet to be revealed.

The report suggests that the 25-year-old could be out until the October's international break. It remains to be seen how Mikel Arteta deals with the absence of his primary creative outlet.

Odegaard has been a key player for the north London giants since initially joining the club on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021. He later joined the Gunners permanently in the summer of 2021 in a deal worth reported £30 million, which has turned out to be a huge bargain.

The Norway international was handed captaincy by Mikel Arteta in 2022 and he has led his side by example. He has made 156 appearances for Arsenal till date having contributed with 35 goals and 25 assists.

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Gabby Agbonlahor hails Arsenal defender following the Gunners' victory against Tottenham Hotspur

Former Premier League attacker Gabby Agbonlahor has made a bold claim that Gabriel Magalhaes is Arsenal's best defender. William Saliba is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs on the planet right now but the former Aston Villa striker has claimed that Magalhaes is even better.

The Brazil international was solid against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby and also scored the all-important winner.

Gabby Agbonlahor hailed the 26-year-old stating, as quoted by talkSPORT:

"Watching the game, he is one of the defenders I would have hated to play against. He’s aggressive, he’s strong, he’s quick, he’s good on the ball, and to get that goal, that goal was the only probably chance in the game that was really going to go in for either team."

The former England international added:

"I thought Gabriel was outstanding. He has picked up where he left last season and arguably he’s Arsenal’s best defender."

Gabriel Magalhaes has been exceptional for Arsenal since his reported £27 million switch from Lille in 2020. He has made 172 appearances for the north London giants so far scoring 16 goals in the process.