Odegaard out with knee ligament injury, misses Israel qualifier

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has withdrawn from Norway duty after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over West Ham at the Emirates Stadium, the club and Norway's medical staff said. The 26-year-old was forced off about 30 minutes into the match after a knee-on-knee clash with West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville and will remain with Arsenal for assessment and treatment during the international window.

Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Odegaard will miss Norway's World Cup qualifier against Israel and a friendly with New Zealand. A club statement said Odegaard "will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible." He was replaced in the match by Martín Zubimendi.

Manager Mikel Arteta described the incident after the game. "He had a clash, knee to knee. Immediately, he was uncomfortable. He's not positive about it. He has a brace on it," Arteta said. Norway team doctor Ola Sand also said the midfielder would not be available for the training camp. "The injury means that he will not...