Arsenal fans fear serious Martin Odegaard injury after spotting detail from team photo

Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans are concerned Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury is more serious than the club is letting on after spotting a key detail from the club’s official team photo.

Mikel Arteta has so far kept his cards close to his chest having been asked on several occasions for an update on his captain’s health since he damaged his ankle playing for Norway last week.

Initial reports suggested the 25-year-old would be out for a minimum of three weeks, ruling him out of key fixtures against Tottenham, a game which Arsenal won in his absence, Manchester City and Atalanta in the Champions League.

Speaking after Sunday’s north London derby win, Arteta said: ‘Regarding Martin, we still have to wait and see the news. He certainly wasn’t available to play today.’

Arteta’s squad will fly to Italy on Wednesday ahead of tomorrow night’s fixture against last season’s Europa League winners and appear certain to be without their playmaker in chief.

Odegaard was present for Tuesday’s official team photo shoot but many fans were alarmed to see his injured ankle obscured by a potentially strategically placed ball.

One Arsenal fan groaned: ‘They put the ball over Martin Odegaard’s left ankle, it’s not looking good bruv’

Another observant fan added: ‘Blocking Odegaard’s ankle with the ball. I know what you’re doing.’

While a third laughed: ‘If only they had trophies to make it less obvious. Oh wait.’

Leandro Trossard deputised for Odegaard against Spurs and is likely to continue in a slightly unfamiliar role against Atalanta.

Arsenal are still to put a timescale on the return of summer signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, but the latter was pictured without a sling yesterday.

The Spain midfielder fractured his shoulder during his first training session with his new club and is likely to be out until the end of October’s international break.