Arsenal star Marin Odegaard could only limp from the field after a nasty challenge from Bernardo Silva in Norway's defeat to Portugal in the Nations League
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva did not understand Martin Odegaard's fury (Image: X)
Bernardo Silva has rejected complaints over his challenge on Martin Odegaard, suggesting that it's simply part of football. The Portugal midfielder put in a late challenge on the Arsenal star that left him requiring treatment following Norway's Nations League defeat.
Odegaard was left furious after being hacked down by the former Manchester City ace and left the stadium in Oslo limping following the stoppage-time challenge. The 27-year-old Gunners captain had already released the ball when Silva went into him from behind.
The Arsenal ace unleashed an angry tirade against his opponent when they next met on the field and could still not understand the intent behind the challenge following the match. However, asked about what Odegaard had said to him and the upset he'd caused the Norwegian playmaker, Silva offered little.
"It's football, my friend," the Real Madrid midfielder told reporters as he left Ullevaal Stadion.
Following his treatment, Odegaard made a rare appearance in front of reporters, however, and spoke out over his displeasure.
"It doesn't belong on a football field," he said. "It's a shame that people do that."
"It's a head fog from him," he added. "Just kicks me down long after I've played the ball away. I don't understand what he's doing."
Odegaard chose not to share what he said to Silva following the challenge, likely indicating the nature of his words. "I don't think we should do that on TV," he said.
The Arsenal skipper remains hopeful he has not suffered a serious problem to his ankle following the challenge.
I hope not," he said. "But I got a knock on my ankle there, so it probably won't be good tonight."
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Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard limped off the pitch (Image: Getty)
Odegaard's knock is not the first injury issue Mikel Arteta has seen arise during the international break. Kai Havertz withdrew from Germany action last week after picking up an injury in Jurgen Klopp's first match in charge of the nation.
Havertz lasted just 30 minutes in Germany's clash against Netherlands on Thursday, suffering a hamstring injury. The forward underwent an MRI scan and could miss a number of weeks of play.
The former Chelsea star returned to Arsenal, while team-mate Jamal Musiala was released back to Bayern Munich. The German FA confirmed Havertz suffered a strain.
"Kai suffered a muscle strain yesterday and had to be substituted in the 30th minute," the DFB said in a statement.
"Jamal had already sustained a torn muscle fibre in his right thigh during warm-ups before the match. This was revealed by examinations late Thursday evening. Both will leave the national team squad early today. Get well soon!"