Report by Layth Yousif in Bergamo, Italy 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed Martin Odegaard has suffered a "quite significant" ankle ligament injury.

Speaking in Italy, at Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium, ahead of the Gunners Champions League clash on Thursday evening in Bergamo, Arteta admitted his captain could be missing for a "while."

The talented 25-year-old midfielder limped off during Norway's Nations League win over Austria earlier this month. 

Speaking on Wednesday evening in northern Italy at his press conference attended by the Morning Star newspaper, a visibly disappointed Arteta said: "It's something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while.

"Hopefully not months."

Odegaard had gone down in pain during international duty for Norward on Monday, September 9, following a second half foul by Christoph Baumgartner that hurt his left ankle.

The creative midfielder with a fierce work rate returned to Arsenal for an MRI scan, subsequently missing his side's stirring 1-0 victory at Spurs in the north London derby last Sunday.

Arteta added: "The scan showed some damage around the ligaments in the ankle so we are going to miss him." 

Odegaard's injury means the 25-year-old will miss the Gunners opening Champions League clash this week, as well as the Premier League visit to leaders Manchester City on Sunday.