The seven Arsenal games Martin Odegaard will miss with…

The seven Arsenal games Martin Odegaard will miss with knee injury

Sidelined: Martin Odegaard had only just recovered from a recurring shoulder issue when he injured his knee against West Ham - (Action Images via Reuters)

Arsenal have been handed a fresh blow following the news that Martin Odegaard is set to be out until after the November international break with a knee injury.

Odegaard suffered a medial collateral ligament injury after clashing knees with West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville during Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

Arsenal confirmed in a statement a day after the game that Odegaard, who has endured an injury-hit start to the season, would not play for Norway during the international break.

The Gunners captain is now expected to be unavailable until mid-November as Mikel Arteta’s side look to push on after making strong starts to their respective Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup campaigns.

Odegaard, who has completed 90 minutes just twice so far this season, has struggled for fitness and had only just returned from a recurring shoulder injury before his withdrawal against West Ham.

Arsenal’s strength in depth has meant that Odegaard’s absences have so far not been as sorely felt as last season, when the Norwegian midfielder spent three months out with an ankle injury.

Martin Odegaard has endured a difficult start to the campaign (Getty Images)

However, with fixtures piling up, Arteta has been left to contend with yet another injury issue, having only just welcomed back Bukayo Saka from a hamstring problem.

Odegaard is expected to miss Arsenal’s next seven games across all competitions, though Arteta will hope to have the 26-year-old back in time for the north London derby against Tottenham after the November international break.

Following the visit of Spurs, Arsenal face Bayern Munich and Chelsea in successive games. Odegaard also looks set to be sidelined for Norway’s crunch final pair of World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Italy next month.