Odegaard injury concern grows as boss admits he's "worried" about captain

08 November 2023 , 08:03

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Odegaard injury concern grows as boss admits he's "worried" about captain

Norway manager Stale Solbakken is "worried" about Martin Odegaard's fitness - but has selected the Arsenal skipper for this month's internationals.

Odegaard was left on the bench for Arsenal's 5-0 victory against Sheffield United last month and failed to make the matchday squad for their recent 1-0 loss at Newcastle. The 24-year-old playmaker is a doubt for Arsenal's game against Sevilla on Wednesday.

Odegaard has been selected by Solbakken, but there's a chance his knock could keep him out of Norway's upcoming fixtures against the Faroe Islands and Scotland. The first of those games is a friendly, while the second is their final Euro 2024 qualifier.

Arsenal fans would prefer Odegaard to be rested for those internationals to give him time to fully recover from his knock. Norway can no longer qualify for Euro 2024 from their group but may be shoved into a play-off depending on how qualifying ends this month.

Solbakken was asked about Odegaard's inclusion after naming his squad. He said: "We are worried about Martin. He is very doubtful (to play)."

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Odegaard's fitness remains unclear. After being rested against Sheffield United, the midfielder came on during the final 10 minutes of Arsenal's 3-1 loss at West Ham in the Carabao Cup and scored. Arteta was confident he would be fit to face Newcastle.

The Gunners boss said ahead of that game: "We have tried to offload him a little bit because he had a little issue that he was grumbling with. He felt much better in the last few days, and we gave a few minutes against West Ham which was good to see, and his contribution was really good. He will train today and if he's fine he will be ready."

Stale Solbakken is hoping Odegaard will be fit for this month's internationals (Getty Images)

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So it was a surprise when Odegaard was omitted from Arsenal's squad for the defeat at St James' Park. Arteta was asked for an update on the player's fitness at a press conference on Tuesday and confirmed his involvement against Sevilla is "still uncertain".

Arteta was also asked about Odgeaard's international call up. He said: "Martin loves to play for his country and every time that he’s been called up and been fit, he’s been there. And he will be there if that’s the case."

Arteta was then asked why Odegaard played against West Ham but not Newcastle. He replied: "It’s no relation with what we had and what happened the day before the game against Newcastle; they are two different topics and things."

Wolves fans will remember Solbakken for his spell at Molineux between July 2012 and January 2013. The Norwegian won just 10 of his 30 games in charge of the West Midlands team, who went on to suffer a second successive relegation that season.

Tom Blow