Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that club captain Martin Odegaard could be sidelined until after the November international break as he continues his recovery from injury.

Odegaard, 26, sustained a knee problem during Arsenal’s clash with West Ham United on October 3 and was forced off before half-time. The setback made him the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before the break in three consecutive starts.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Fulham on Saturday, Arteta expressed sympathy over the Norwegian’s run of injuries this season, which have included recurring issues with his shoulder.

“It will be weeks. No definite date for his return, but he’s evolving well. Very unlucky, what’s happening with him and his injuries this season?” Arteta told reporters.

When asked if Odegaard could be back after the next international break, the Spanish coach replied, “It could be, but we’ll have to see how he progresses, how the knee’s healing, how he manages after the next steps in his rehab, so it’s too early to give an answer.”

Despite several injury concerns, including those of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba, and Noni Madueke, Arsenal have maintained their strong start to the season, sitting top of the Premier League table — one point ahead of Liverpool after seven matches.

Arteta also threw his support behind Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who was signed to bolster Arsenal’s attack but has found goals hard to come by recently. The forward has scored just three times in ten appearances and is currently on an eight-game goal drought for club and country.

“He brings so much to the team, and watching the games back, I’m very pleased with what he’s given to the team,” Arteta said.

“I told him before the first meeting, ‘The nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn’t score for six or eight games, he can handle that. If not, you have to go somewhere else because the pressure, the expectation is going to be there.’

“If you put the number nine shirt on for Arsenal, you have to be able to say: six games I don’t score, am I a different player? Do I act in a different way? I want much more of the same of what he’s doing. Once we have those opportunities, put them in. I’m sure it’s going to happen.”