Arsenal get fresh update on midfielder’s injury during internationals
Norway manager Stale Solbakken has confirmed his medical staff are in contact with Arsenal after Martin Odegaard missed training with an ankle problem on Tuesday.
The Arsenal captain sustained the injury following a late challenge from Bernardo Silva during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League defeat to Portugal on Sunday.
Odegaard completed the match but was subsequently seen limping as he made his way towards the Norway team bus, raising concerns over his condition.
The 27-year-old did not train with his international team-mates on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s Nations League meeting with Wales, although he has not been sent back to Arsenal.
Solbakken revealed that Norway are keeping the Gunners informed as they continue to assess whether their captain will be available.
“Now we have to see [whether he can play], but he hasn’t been sent home,” Solbakken told Norwegian newspaper Nettavisen. “The medical sector is reporting what has happened, and now it’s like every metre you run here, and all the training and everything you’ve done, is sent to the club.”
Norway assistant coach Brede Hangeland offered a more encouraging update on Tuesday, revealing Odegaard was experiencing less discomfort than the previous day.
“Martin was in the breakfast room, he was happy and he had less pain in his ankle than yesterday,” Hangeland said. “It’s a long time until the next game, it’s a full two and a half days. A lot can happen in that time.”
The injury occurred in stoppage time against Portugal when Silva caught Odegaard after the midfielder had already released the ball.
Silva was booked, but Solbakken subsequently described the challenge as “ugly” and suggested it was close to warranting a red card.
“I took a knock to my ankle,” Odegaard said. “He just kicked me down long after I had played the ball. I didn’t understand what he was doing.”
There is particular sensitivity around ankle problems for Odegaard after he suffered ligament damage while representing Norway in September 2024, subsequently missing 12 Arsenal matches.
The current problem has not yet been assessed as similarly serious, however, and Odegaard remains with Norway ahead of their final two Nations League fixtures.
Norway face Wales on Thursday before travelling to Portugal on Sunday, while Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds United on October 10.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will hope his captain can avoid further complications, with Norway’s regular communication with the club ensuring his condition is being closely monitored.
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