Mikel Arteta hit by another injury blow as Arsenal star is forced off just 17 minutes into Nottingham Forest clash

Arsenal will be sweating on the fitness of Martin Odegaard after the Norwegian midfielder was forced off with a shoulder injury against Nottingham Forest. 

Odegaard landed awkwardly and heavily on his right shoulder inside seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium and 10 minutes later he was unable to continue. 

The Norwegian had jumped into the air to avoid the sliding challenge of Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White but only avoided it to eventually crash down flush on his shoulder. 

It is the latest blow for Arsenal and boss Mikel Arteta, who is already without winger Bukayo Saka, centre back William Saliba and striker Kai Havertz.

Odegaard has had a lingering shoulder problem for some time, being forced off with it in the 5-0 romp of Leeds United earlier in the campaign. 

Odegaard is hugely important to this Arsenal side as the main playmaker in the midfield and with so many games coming up in a short space of time, Arteta will be sweating on the fitness of his star man.

'It hurt a lot, but now I got it under control and I feel ready,' Odegaard said of his shoulder injury picked up against Leeds having gone away on international duty.

'It was never an issue (any conflict of interest with Norway and Arsenal).'

Arsenal travel to face Athletic Club in Bilbao on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, before taking on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at home the following Sunday.

The Gunners then travel to League One Port Vale in the Carabao Cup and to Newcastle United in the Premier League before September's matches draw to a close.