Norway manager Stale Solbakken believes Martin Odegaard is injured after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The international break may have stopped Premier League action for now, but Mikel Arteta will continue to keep a close eye on his players as they fly to link up with their national teams. Odegaard, who did not play at Euro 2024 after Norway failed to qualify, was expected to play in the Nations League games against Kazakhstan and Austria during the September break.
However, Solbakken has hinted at a possible injury concern arsenal captain, who picked up a knock during the Gunners’ last Premier League clash.
“I think it’s another knock,” Solbakken told reporters when asked if Odegaard was suffering from the Brighton game. “I was about to say, I think it’s something other than the bang, so to speak.”
It has yet to be revealed whether Odegaard will return to fitness in time for Norway’s clash with Kazakhstan on Friday, but Arsenal fans are hoping he will be back for their upcoming North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
Arteta will run out of options in midfield afterwards Declan Rice received a controversial red card against Brighton. His one-match ban will see him miss the Spurs game, while Fabio Vieira joined Porto at the end of the summer transfer window.
As it is, Arteta he will have just three senior midfielders to choose from, which may drop to two if Odegaard is ruled out. Thomas Partey has been a regular in their squad this season, despite fans clamoring to see more of the veteran Jorginho.
