Arsenal handed crucial Martin Odegaard injury timeline after Norway decision
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has withdrawn from Norway duty ahead of the international break. The 24-year-old continues to struggle with a hip injury that has kept him out of the last three fixtures across all competitions.
Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Odegaard can return to action following the international break with the Gunners facing a difficult test against Brentford later this month. «I don't know,» Arteta said when asked when the Norway international will be fit.
«I am going to have a meeting now with the medical department and Edu to understand everyone's situation but I think he is going to be back after the international break. I don't know exactly what is the decision and the communication at the moment.»
Arsenal have been seriously hampered by injuries to key players in recent weeks. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey have all been sidelined — whilst Jurrien Timber continues to recover from a knee injury.
Odegaard was called up by Norway last week ahead of their games with the Faroe Islands and Scotland, but he will now stay behind and work at Arsenal instead. Norway had been braced for the 24-year-old's absence and their manager Stale Solbakken revealed last week that no replacement would be called up.
“As for Martin Odegaard, we await the situation,” he said. “If it happens that he has to report absent, a replacement will not be called in for him, as this was taken into account in the [original squad] selection.
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