Arsenal have received a boost during the international break, with club captain Martin Odegaard officially named in Norway’s squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League clash against Wales, though his immediate availability remains in doubt.
The 27-year-old playmaker has been nursing an ankle issue sustained late on in Norway’s tense 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
The injury followed a late challenge from Real Madrid midfielder Bernardo Silva, which left Odegaard frustrated by the tackle’s heavy-handed nature.
Odegaard subsequently missed consecutive training sessions at the team’s base as Norway’s medical staff monitored the injury.
The news inevitably caused anxiety back in North London, with Mikel Arteta and his team already managing several fitness concerns across the squad, with midfielder Declan Rice pulling out of England duty.
However, Stale Solbakken’s decision to include his captain in the travelling squad for Wales suggests Odegaard could yet play a part in Cardiff.
Solbakken has indicated that while Odegaard is eager to lead his country, every precaution is being taken to protect his long-term fitness.
Norway’s medical team will be mindful that rushing their skipper back could worsen the injury, potentially damaging both international hopes and Arsenal’s domestic ambitions.
For Arsenal, the hope is that common sense prevails and that Odegaard is either rested or handled with extreme care. With a crucial run of Premier League and Champions League fixtures approaching after the international break, Arteta will be watching closely, hoping his key playmaker returns to London Colney unscathed.
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