Arsenal could be without playmaker Martin Odegaard once again when they take on Everton at home in the Premier League. The Real Madrid loanee has been missing for the past few games due to an ankle problem picked up while he was on national team duty with Norway.

Odegaard has been missed in the Arsenal line-up as the North London giants chase down glory in both the Premier League and the Europa League. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is on loan at Arsenal from Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid. The Norwegian player joined the Gunners on loan in January and he’s expected to stay at the club until the end of the season.

Arsenal are reportedly keen to make his loan move a permanent one but they will have to wait till the summer to know whether they will sign the ex-Real Sociedad player or not.

Martin Odegaard has not played for the Gunners since the 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool at the start of April. He picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with the Norwegian national team. He featured in all his country’s three matches last month as part of the qualifying campaign ahead of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Odegaard aggravated the injury against the Reds in the first Premier League match after the international break.

The Real Madrid loanee returned to light training this week and he’s a doubt for the home encounter with the Toffees in the league later this week. If he does not make it for the Everton game, he would be expected to make his return for the Europa League semi-final first leg clash with Villarreal whom he knows very well from his time in the Spanish top flight. The first leg encounter between Villarreal and Arsenal takes place next week.

The Villarreal tie in the Europa League is almost non-negotiable for Arsenal as the competition represents the best route to European football next season.