LONDON, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal will be without influential playmaker and captain Martin Odegaard for at least three weeks after the Norwegian suffered an ankle injury while on international duties.

His absence was confirmed by Norway team doctor Ola Sand, who told media that injuries such as the one Odegaard suffered against Austria "often take at least three weeks (to recover from)," but warned they "can take longer," and anything less would be "a bonus."

The midfielder had an MRI scan in London on Tuesday, with Sand confirming that it revealed "there is probably no fracture in the ankle."

"Arsenal are almost certain there is no breach, but this may still take some time. In the event of a fracture, we are talking about being out of action for six weeks plus," the doctor advised.

The injury comes at arguably the worst possible time for Arsenal, who will also be without Declan Rice for this weekend's north London derby against Tottenham after Rice was sent off against Brighton two weeks ago.

New signing Mikel Merino is also out for a couple of months with a fractured shoulder, as Arsenal prepare for an intense period of seven games between now and October 6.

As well as traveling to play Tottenham on Sunday, that period sees Mikel Arteta's side travel to visit reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in a game that already looks as if it will be key in deciding the destination of this season's title.

Arsenal will kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign away to Atalanta on September 19 and host Paris Saint-Germain on October 1. Enditem

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