Arsenal fans have taken to social media to express their anger towards Christoph Baumgartner after the Austrian forward’s tackle resulted in an injury to Gunners captain Martin Odegaard during the international break.
Odegaard suffered an ankle sprain during Norway’s 2-1 victory over Austria in the Nations League on Monday evening. The injury, sustained after a challenge by Baumgartner, has left Arsenal supporters deeply concerned about their star playmaker’s fitness ahead of the crucial North London Derby against Tottenham on September 15.
Norway’s head coach, Stale Solbakken, acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that Odegaard’s injury “looks bad” and expressing doubt that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would be pleased with the news. Arteta aims to lead Arsenal to their first Premier League title in two decades and hopes his captain’s absence is brief.
In the wake of the injury, Arsenal fans flooded Baumgartner’s Instagram with messages of frustration and anger. Comments on the player’s most recent post from Austria’s previous match against Slovenia ranged from accusations of “dirty play” to more personal attacks. One fan demanded, “How dare you break Odegaard’s ankle,” while another criticized Baumgartner, asking, “Do you play football or UFC?” The outpouring of anger continued, with some fans declaring they would “never forgive him for hurting Odegaard” and others simply stating, “Shame on you.”
The injury occurred in the 67th minute when Baumgartner’s tackle caused Odegaard’s foot to stick awkwardly in the turf, prompting immediate concern from his teammates and the medical staff. Norway’s team doctor, Ola Sand, provided an update, explaining, “He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it. If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow.”
Odegaard has been instrumental in Arsenal’s strong start to the Premier League season, having played in all three of their matches so far. Last season, he was a key figure in the squad, contributing 11 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
If the injury sidelines Odegaard for an extended period, it could prove costly for Arsenal, with a series of vital fixtures on the horizon. Following the North London Derby, the Gunners face a tough Champions League trip to Atalanta before a crucial Premier League clash against title rivals Manchester City on September 22. Arsenal fans will be anxiously awaiting further updates on their captain’s condition, hoping for a speedy recovery.
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