Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Martin Odegaard has missed Arsenal’s last eight matches in all competitions (Picture: Getty)
Martin Odegaard has been rendered ‘grumpy’ and ‘frustrated’ by his ongoing injury problems that have seen him miss Arsenal’s last eight matches in all competitions.
The Gunners’ skipper has endured a stop-start campaign which has seen him pick up reoccurring shoulder and knee injuries.
Odegaard suffered his latest setback during a draw against Brentford nearly six weeks ago and although he featured as a substitute in his side’s next Premier League game against Tottenham, he hasn’t been since.
Mikel Arteta had hinted the club captain could be available for last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City but those hopes proved to be unfounded as Arsenal sank to a morale-sapping 2-0 defeat.
The 27-year-old has been granted permission to miss Norway’s upcoming matches against Netherlands and Switzerland in the hope that he will complete his rehabilitation with his club and be ready to make his latest comeback against Southampton in the FA Cup on April 4.
‘He is very frustrated and grumpy,’ confirmed Norway boss Stale Solbakken. ‘He has not been involved since we beat Moldova 11-1.
‘It is his last international match. He was not on the field against Israel, Estonia or Italy. It is clear that it hurts.
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Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
Martin Odegaard hasn’t played for Arsenal since February’s win over Spurs (Picture: Getty)
‘Now it’s three weeks until Arsenal play again. Or two-and-a-half weeks. I think it could be a goal for Martin to be in a squad then. It’s within reach.
‘There is no reason for him to travel now. He has to train. If he wants to use a day off to come here, he is welcome to do so. But it is not something that has been planned.’
Belgium, meanwhile, must do without Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken for the upcoming trip to the United States where they play two World Cup warm-up matches.
Arsenal v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Final
Gabriel Magalhaes won’t play in Brazil’s upcoming games (Picture: Getty)
Trossard has opted out of the friendly matches against World Cup co-hosts United States in Atlanta on Saturday and Mexico in Chicago on March 31.
The Arsenal forward has only recently recovered from a hip injury and in consultation with his club it was decided not to call him up so that he can continue his rehabilitation in London, the Belgian football association said on Monday.
William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes have also withdrawn from their various international squads and will spend the next fortnight preparing themselves for the domestic and European resumption.
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