Martin Ødegaard
Martin Ødegaard’s injury concerns are causing growing worry in Norway as he continues to struggle to get fit at Arsenal.
Aftenposten report on the situation today and comments from the likes of Kjetil Rekdal, current Aalesund coach and former national team captain.
International absence
Martin Ødegaard was missing for his country from this international break as he continues to battle back from a knee problem.
The 27-year-old has not played a full match for Arsenal since December 30th. 13 minutes against Tottenham on February 22nd was the last time he was on the pitch.
Questions are being asked about his situation. There are growing concerns that Ødegaard is now paying the price after starting his career so early. Rekdal is certainly concerned on that front.
“Of course it is worrying,” he said.
“We have to remember that he played senior football when he was 15 years old. I am not saying that it does. But it could mean that the wear and tear is starting to take its toll on his body.
“Maybe he does not have such a long career in his 30s and up, like others who started senior football later. It could be bad luck, but he has had a lot of breaks now.
“A player who is injured does not get to deliver anything at all. The most important thing is that he gets to train well before he plays matches again.”
Norway over Arsenal
Kjetil Rekdal is now hoping that the midfielder prioritises playing for Norway at the World Cup this summer over Arsenal’s Premier League title bid.
The Gunners are well on their way to a first title since 2004. They’re also in the latter stages of the FA Cup and Champions League.
Martin Ødegaard has played a role in that, but Mikel Arteta’s side have pushed on without him during his injury issues this season. Rekdal thinks that gives Ødegaard a chance to focus elsewhere.
*“Arsenal seem to be heading towards a potential league title without Martin at the moment,*” he concluded.
“Now he might be thinking a bit Norwegian and selfishly for our part. That he prioritises getting a few games at the end of the season and we get a rested Ødegaard in top form for the World Cup.”
Norway play it down
While concerns are growing about the Arsenal midfielder outside the group, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken is not worried about his captain.
“I am confident in him,” he told TV 2 after the game.
“He is very much in the game now. He has less and less pain. Hopefully he plays one of the next Arsenal games, and then it will roll out on its own, Solbakken told TV 2 after the game.
“So, I’m not afraid of that, unless something new comes up. You never know, but it shouldn’t.”
Before the meeting began, VG asked about whether Martin Ødegaard’s long career is having an effect. He played down those concerns.
“No, he has had a few slaps. The fact that he slept on a throw-in and was kicked in the stomach, I don’t think has anything to do with him starting early,” he insisted.
“’I’m not worried about that. He is light in body and didn’t play that many games at the start. He is desperate to play games and come to these meetings, but it is the World Cup that counts, not private international matches in March.”
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