Norway boss Stale Solbakken has confirmed that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is still “some distance away” from returning to action.
The 26-year-old picked up a medial collateral ligament injury during the 2-0 win over West Ham last month, but it was hoped that he would be available for the North London derby. However, when asked about Odegaard’s rehabilitation, Solbakken replied:
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“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.”
A return for the derby was always difficult
Odgaard sustained his knee injury on October 4th, so there was hope that he’d be back in time to face Tottenham.
However, The Guardian reported on October 13th that the midfielder would be on the treatment table for “another six weeks”. If we work out the dates, that would point to a comeback on November 24th – the day after the derby.
It seems Odegaard was always facing an uphill battle to be fit for the match against Spurs.
Latest Arsenal injury news
There is still no update on when Vitkor Gyokeres (hamstring) or Gabriel Martinelli (knock) will return to full fitness, but there is optimism that Kai Havertz (knee) and Noni Madueke (knee) will be available for selection pretty soon.
Gabriel Jesus is already back in full training but after having spent ten months on the sidelines with an ACL injury, the Brazilian forward will need time to regain match sharpness. He is unlikely to be in the matchday squad immediately after the international break.
Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here