Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has confirmed Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard won’t be involved for November’s international break.
Earlier this week, Solbakken announced his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Italy. He spoke to the media and VG covered his comments over the Arsenal star’s absence.
On October 4th, the midfielder picked up a knee injury in Arsenal’s league win over West Ham United. This forced him to miss the last international break and several matches for the Gunners.
Solbakken has confirmed he’s in regular contact with the 26-year-old and is aware of his recovery process.
“I talk to Martin regularly. He is doing well, and things are going as they should, but he is not here,” he said.
The national team manager was asked what’s restricting the Norway international. When responding to that, he said Ødegaard, Arsenal and Norway are unaware of when he will regain full fitness.
“It is an injury. You have to call Arsenal about that. He is well on his way in his rehab, but when he will be ready, neither he, Arsenal nor we know, as of now,” Solbakken explained.
Despite the Arsenal player’s current situation, VG report the manager still expects him to be present when the matches are played.
Solbakken was specifically asked whether he wants to take Ødegaard with the national team.
“We haven’t discussed it much, but Martin probably has a strong desire to be in the group. And then we’ll see what we agree on there,” he added.
“He still has rehab, which is the most important thing, that he gets on the field as soon as possible. Then we’ll see how it fits in. It’s not us who have control over him, it’s Arsenal.”