Player who injured Martin Odegaard releases statement on Instagram amid furious reaction from Arsenal fans

Christoph Baumgartner has apologised to Martin Odegaard after injuring the midfielder during Norway's 2-1 win over Austria.

The Arsenal captain was forced off with an ankle injury on Monday evening, six days out from a derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Mikel Arteta's side are already without Declan Rice after he was sent off in last month's 1-1 draw with Brighton.

With the Gunners light in midfield, supporters have expressed frustration at Baumgartner's challenge.

The RB Leipzig man has since taken to social media to set the record straight.

"Hi guys! I would like to sincerely apologise to Martin Odegaard," the 25-year-old wrote.

"It was never my intention to injure this player, I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

"Come back stronger @odegaard.98 [prayer hands emoji]."

Norway defender Leo Ostigard, meanwhile, criticised Baumgartner, insisting how he felt the challenge was 'strange'.

Martin Odegaard has made 61 appearances for the Norway national team (Image: Getty)

"I think there were a lot of strange things there," Ostigard told NRK.

"I would have liked to have a duel against the guy who took Ødda out and show him what it’s like to get one back."

Asked for clarity on what he meant, Ostigard added: "I’m not going to say that here."

Ostigard was then asked for his view on the extent of the injury sustained by the Gunners star, and admitted: "It wasn't very good."

"We really have to hope that it passes quickly and that he is back both for Arsenal and for us."

Mikel Arteta's captain was later pictured hobbling onto a private jet back to London on Tuesday.

The injury could be a cruel blow for Arteta and his side after they have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the new campaign.

After narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City last season, the Gunners are keen to once again push the reigning champions all the way.

"When you are analytical and you gather all the stats and everything the team has done over the past 11 months in the Premier League, we should have won it," said Arteta last month.

"That's what the stats say. The reality is that we didn't so there is something that is there that we haven't managed as well as Man City or other clubs in the past.

"I think we understand where those margins are. I think we have come very far."