Arteta won’t be phoning for a pleasant chat

Norway coach Stale Solbakken is not expecting a pleasant phone call from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after midfielder Martin Odegaard limped out of last night’s game with Austria with a potentially serious ankle injury.

The Gunners captain was caught on the joint by Christoph Baumgartner in the 65th minute of the Nations League clash in Oslo and was helped from the field in some distress.

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It’s another problem for Arteta, who is already without the suspended Declan Rice for this weekend’s North London derby against Tottenham while new signing Mikel Merino has yet to play for the club due to a shoulder injury.

Solbakken told TV2: “It looked bad in the dressing room. He didn’t have the ability to continue.

“I think it’s unlikely Arteta will call me tonight and praise me.”

‘A small ankle sprain’

Norway team doctor Ola Sand added: “He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it.

“If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow.”

Arsenal have made a strong start to the new Premier League season with wins over Wolves and Aston Villa followed by a home draw with Brighton.

Assuming Odegaard is not fit to face their local rivals on Sunday, Arsenal are likely to field Jorginho and Thomas Partey in central midfield.

Rice will be back for the Champions League trip to Atalanta on September 19 and also the Premier League trip to Manchester City the following weekend.