Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has sustained “significant” ankle ligament damage that will keep him out of action for “a while” manager Mikel Arteta said Wednesday.

The midfielder was injured playing for Norway this month and scans have confirmed the extent of the damage.

“It’s something quite significant so we are going to lose him for a while. Hopefully not months,” Arteta said.

Arsenal plays Atalanta in the Champions League on Thursday and Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Odegaard is a key figure for Arsenal, which finished runner-up to City in each of the last two seasons.

“He’s our captain. One of our biggest players, one of our most consistent players in the last two or three seasons,” Arteta said. “Our identity is related to his way of playing and his way of behaving.

“It’s a great test for the team of how capable we are to show maybe a different face and that other players and other options can be very effective.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX sports experience

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

English Premier League

Get more from English Premier League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more