Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard forced off injured against Nottingham Forest after agitating shoulder problem in huge blow ahead of Champions League return & Man City showdown

Odegaard was visibly disappointed after being forced to leave the pitch in the 17th minute of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest. The Gunners captain was replaced by 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri. 

Odegaard was named on the Arsenal bench against Liverpool before the international break as he was nursing a shoulder injury that he picked up after falling awkwardly on his shoulder against Leeds United. The midfielder, however, featured for Norway in both of their games during the international and even scored a goal in their 11-1 thumping of Moldova. Unfortunately, the Gunners skipper suffered yet another blow on his shoulder, following a challenge from Morgan Gibbs-White, which forced the midfielder to leave the pitch.

Mikel Arteta is already missing the services of key first-team players like Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, who are all out injured. Like Odegaard, Saliba picked up an injury early in the game against the Reds last month and was forced off the pitch within the first 10 minutes of the game. 

Odegaard's injury comes as a huge blow for the Premier League giants, who next face Athletic Club in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, before travelling to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on September 21.