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The worst situation that Arsnall doesn't want is being produced. Captain and ace Martin 외degaard ended up on crutches.
Norway won 2-1 in the second Group B match of the UEFA Nations League Group 3 at 3:45 a.m. (Korea time) against Austria in the 2024-2025 season at Ullevol Stadion in Oslo, Norway. The victory put Norway in second place in the group.
Norway couldn't laugh at the victory. This is because Odegaard, the captain and ace, was injured. Looks like it's not a small injury. Austria was proceeding with a throw-in in the 19th minute of the second half, when the team was fiercely competing one-on-one. Austria's throw-in headed for Christoph Baumgartner.
외degaard knew the ball was headed for Baumgartner and tried to compete to pressure him. Baumgartner's cheek touch was unstable when Odegaard's checks came in. 외degaard took the ball away and tried to advance, and Baumgartner put his foot out to avoid giving it to 외degaard.
Baumgartner's outstretched foot hit Odegaard's left foot, and the left foot that touched the ground was completely bent. Odegaard immediately grabbed his ankle and collapsed on the field. Odegaard's expression looked really serious.
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Even though the medical staff came in quickly and took action, 외degaard could not easily find stability. Odegaard covered his face with his uniform, perhaps realizing that he was seriously injured. Baumgartner did not deliberately cause Odegaard's injury, but approached Odegaard and delivered a message of apology.
After barely getting up, 외degaard walked off the field with the help of the medical staff. He still looked to have pain in his left foot, but he could also walk with his left foot if he was helped. Walking is not necessarily a good injury, but it was a positive sign of being able to walk.
However, after the match, Norwegian coach Stole Solbakken said "Odegaard's injury appeared to be serious in the locker room as well" he said. In the end, 외degaard became a crutch. European transfer market expert Romano revealed Odegaard moving around using crutches. In other words, injuries can be serious. However, it was not in a cast. It seems that he will have to return to the UK for an accurate diagnosis.
Norway is in a state of emergency, but Arsenal is also in a state of emergency. Odegaard is also the ace and captain of Arsenal. Although he had great expectations since he was young, Odegaard never settled down at Real Madrid and wore an Arsenal uniform in the 2020-2021 season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had full confidence in Odegaard's ability, and Odegaard began to be increasingly recognized as Arsenal's core from the 2021-2022 season. In the 2022-2023 season, he began to be recognized as one of the best playmakers in the English Premier League (EPL) with 15 goals and seven assists in the league alone. He was also selected as the EPL Team of the Year.
Last season, Oedegaard proved his value as an ace by showing outstanding performances with 11 goals and 11 assists in official matches. He was also named EPL's Team of the Year for two consecutive seasons. Now, Odegaard's stake in Arsenal is absolute, but if he is injured for a long time, Arsenal will lose a lot of power.
Mikel Merino, who was brought from Real Sociedad this summer, also suffered a serious injury during training and is unable to play for two months, so there is no proper way to replace Odegaard. I'm worried about the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham.
The exact status of Odegaard's injury has yet to be revealed, but it seems highly unlikely that a player on crutches will play in the North London derby five days away. If Odegaard suffers a long-term injury, it is expected to be a big negative factor for Arsenal's bid to win the championship.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
