Norway manager Stale Solbakken has revealed that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is far from making a return to the pitch. He said that the midfielder is recovering well and will be with the national team's medical staff.
Speaking to the media, Solbakken hinted that the Gunners would be without Odegaard for some time longer, revealing that the Norwegian was not close to returning to the pitch. The midfielder has been on the sideline picking up a knee injury in October, and the Norway manager said (via Tribal Football):
"It is steady. It is going in a steady direction, but he is some distance away. He will fly in (to Oslo) after his rehab on Thursday, then he will continue his rehab with us and will be with us from Thursday afternoon. I don't know when the flight leaves. But he will be with us until Milan."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reported soon after the injury that the club captain had felt something in his knee and was not confident about a swift return. He added that it was an unlucky injury and said (via GOAL):
"So unlucky again. He went knee to knee and felt straight away that something was not right. Let's assess him and see how bad the injury is. He has been very, very unlucky."
Arsenal were hoping to have Odegaard back for the North London Derby this month, but the Norway manager has hinted that the midfielder will need more time to make his return.
Barcelona interested in signing Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard
Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Martin Odegaard. However, Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke has reported that the Gunners are unwilling to sell their club captain and said:
“I don’t see any chance of him moving away from Arsenal. If Martin Odegaard’s fit, I think he starts in that Arsenal side for me. We know Mikel Arteta has a wealth of options in his side now. He’s probably got the strongest squad in the Premier League right now with so many options and strength and depth now at the Emirates but Odegaard is still a key man for me."
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Barcelona would be interested in Martin Odegaard. Most big clubs in Europe would be interested in Martin Odegaard. He’s under contract until 2028, so he would cost a pretty hefty fee if they were to even consider selling them, but that’s not even part of their thinking either."
Odegaard has missed 12 matches this season, four due to a shoulder injury and now eight due to a knee injury.