Arsenal star out for seven games after MCL injury

Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard will be sidelined for seven games after his medial cruciate ligament injury against West Ham United in the Premier League.

The Norwegian suffered the setback against the Hammers before the international break, and the club have yet to provide an exact timescale for his comeback.

However, BBC Sport claim that the injury is much serious than initially predicted and Odegaard is unlikely to return until after the November international break.

Hence, he is expected to miss at least seven games in all competitions. His absence is a big blow for the north London giants, but the club have sufficient cover in the squad.

Eberechi Eze was signed to provide competition in the number 10 role, and his importance is expected to grow with the club captain ruled out for the a significant period of time.

Arsenal take on London rivals Fulham on the road after the international break. While Odegaard is sidelined, Piero Hincapie is poised to return from a minor thigh problem.