Crushing blow for Arsenal! Mikel Arteta confirms Gunners captain Martin Odegaard has suffered 'significant' ankle injury

The attacking midfielder sustained an ankle injury in Norway's Nations League clash with Austria earlier this month, something that reduced the 25-year-old to tears. Now manager Arteta has revealed the former Real Madrid man will have a spell on the sidelines - but hoped it wasn't something that would go on for months.

The Spaniard told reporters on Wednesday: "After recent scans the scans showed that he’s [Odegaard] got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. It’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while."

This is a monumental blow for Odegaard, Arteta, and Arsenal's hopes of winning silverware this season. The Gunners skipper is vital to the club's success and without him, a huge hole will be left in Arteta's team. The Norwegian scored 11 goals and bagged as many assists last season, so finding someone to fill his shoes will be a tall order. Nobody can unlock a defence like he can at Arsenal, who could be severely weakened going forward.

This is a huge week for Arsenal, with the north London team taking on Europa League holders Atalanta on Thursday in their Champions League opener and then on Sunday they travel to Premier League title rivals Manchester City. Defeats there could really knock the wind out of their sails.