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Martin Odegaard remains sidelined for a period of “weeks” with a knee injury and may not return until after the November international break, Mikel Arteta has said.

Arsenal confirmed earlier htis month that Odegaard, 26, had sustained a medial collateral (MCL) injury to his left knee and would withdraw from the Norway squad for this month’s international fixtures, missing the World Cup qualifier against Israel and friendly against New Zealand and remain at club facilities to recover.

“It will be weeks. No definite date but he’s evolving well,” Arteta told reporters on Friday ahead of his side’s trip to Fulham. “It’s very unlucky what’s been happening to him.

“He could be (back after the next break) but it’s too early to give that assessment.”

The Arsenal captain was substituted in the 30th minute of his side’s win over West Ham United on October 4 after colliding with Crysencio Summerville. It was the third time this season that Odegaard, who was replaced by Martin Zubimendi, had been forced off through injury during the first half of a Premier League match.

Odegaard had sustained a shoulder injury against Leeds United on August 23 and reaggravated that injury against Nottingham Forest on September 13.

The Norwegian has made seven appearances in all competitions this season, providing two assists — including one in the Champions League victory over Olympiacos on October 1 as he produced a player-of-the-match performance.

Arteta added that Martin Zubimendi was “available” despite playing with a “really high load” while on international duty with Spain, with defenders Ben White and Piero Hincapie also available.

Noni Madueke, who is “getting closer”, and long-term absentee Kai Havertz remain unavailable.

Odegaard injury an opportunity for squad to shine

Arsenal being without Martin Odegaard will be frustrating, especially considering he seemed to be finding his groove again before being forced off against West Ham.

Arteta will need to use this as an opportunity to get more from other players in the squad. Eberechi Eze was used off the left in his early games at Arsenal. Odegaard’s previous shoulder injuries saw him move more central, and that will likely continue with the Norwegian out now.

More minutes could also come Ethan Nwaneri’s way. The 18-year-old replaced Odegaard when he suffered his shoulder injuries against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest earlier this season, but found game-time hard to come by as the October international break approached.

Him and Eze are different profiles to have in that No 10 position, but both have the quality to step up in Odegaard’s place before the next break.

Arsenal face Fulham, Atletico Madrid, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Slavia Prague and Sunderland in that time — games that both players would expect to excel in.

Elsewhere, the load management of Zubimendi and White could be essential.

Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham before the October international break was only the second game he had not started for Arsenal this season. After starting twice again for Spain in the break, and a quick turnaround between Arsenal’s matches against Fulham (Saturday, October 18) and Atletico Madrid (Tuesday, October 21), managing his minutes will be key.

As for White, Arteta needs to ensure he doesn’t aggravate the knocks the right-back picked up earlier this season.