Arsenal Handed Big Fitness Boost As National Team Coach Provides “Positive” Update On Player
Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland has revealed that the scan results on Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury were “positive”, suggesting that the Arsenal captain hasn’t suffered a major injury.
The 27-year-old was on the receiving end of a bad challenge from Portugal’s Bernardo Silva in a Nations League game at the weekend, and he hasn’t trained since, but speaking to the media yesterday, Hangeland said:
“[Team Doctor] Ola Sand has that under control. As far as I understood, there was nothing dramatic in those [X-ray] images.”
“The most important thing is that the guy is feeling better. The images show a snapshot, while he’s still recovering. And the progress is positive.”
Hangeland went on to speak about how Odegaard has reacted to the injury setback:
“Martin was in the breakfast room; he was happy, and he had less pain in his ankle than yesterday. It is a long time until the next match. It is a full two and a half days. A lot can happen in that time.”
When could Odegaard play his next game?
A lot depends on whether the attacking midfielder can take a full part in training, but Norway are set to face Wales next on Thursday evening.
If Odegaard doesn’t feature in that game, he could make his comeback in the return fixture against Portugal at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto this weekend.
Will he be available to play for Arsenal after the international break?
Hangeland confirmed that Odegaard hasn’t broken a bone, which means he has only suffered bruising. With the Gunners next in action against Leeds a week on Saturday, that should give him enough time to recover.
Considering the Norwegian spent so much time on the sidelines last season, he will be determined to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.