26 March 2023 , 08:27
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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was less than impressed after he was wiped out with a horror challenge by Manchester City midfielder Rodri on Saturday night.
Odegaard, 24, is currently away on international duty and was selected for Norway's crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Spain. But Gunners fans were left sweating when he was left writhing on the floor in agony by Rodri.
The Manchester City midfielder flew into Odegaard in the penalty area, catching the Gunners talisman heavily on the ankle. At time, it was clear that Odegaard was not happy with the challenge and was baffled with the decision from French referee Benoit Bastien to not award a penalty.
And Odegaard doubled down on his stance after the match when he made it clear that he was less than impressed with the challenge from his title rival - and the referee's decision to ignore it.
Speaking after the match, which Spain went on to win 3-0, he told TV2 : "I’m pretty sure I should have had a penalty. He’s coming with his studs right on my ankle. But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say anymore]. I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything."
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Norway manager Stale Solbakken echoed Odegaard's comments and branded the referee's decision as "unbelievable". He insisted: "It is a clear penalty! He finishes the shot and you can’t [foul him after]. If I knock someone down after the ball is gone, then it’s a penalty. I get a little bored of this."
Join the debate! What do you make of the challenge that downed Odegaard on Saturday night? Let us know here.
Odegaard was caught heavily by Rodri in the penalty area (Voetbal)
Odegaard made his feelings clear to French referee Benoit Bastien (Silvestre Szpylma/Quality Sport Images)Although Odegaard was visibly annoyed by the horror challenge, Arsenal fans and Mikel Arteta will be relieved at the fact that the former Real Madrid playmaker seemingly managed to escape unscathed.
The Gunners skipper will soon turn his attention back to the title race: Arsenal have a major opportunity to clinch their first Premier League crown since 2004 and will start the final leg of the season next weekend with an eight point lead over defending champions Manchester City.
But Odegaard's immediate focus will be on Norway's trip to Georgia on Tuesday night after their 3-0 reverse against Spain. Whilst Saturday's result wasn't the ideal start to Norway's European qualification campaign, Odegaard tried to focus on the positives.
He added: "We kept the ball and tried to play out from the back. We created some great chances that we have to put away. We didn’t, and they get goals out of nowhere really. Then it becomes a slightly uglier scoreline than it felt. We did a lot of good things, but we were not sharp enough in front of the goal."