Norway manager Stale Solbakken has yet another Martin Odegaard injury concern to worry about.
Arsenal’s captain has had a turbulent, yet brilliant, start to the season.
After returning from back-to-back shoulder injuries, Odegaard was hauled off once again at the Emirates after suffering a knee injury during Arsenal’s win over West Ham.
The timing was cruel, as Odegaard has raised his level at Arsenal in recent weeks, but it’s not only the Gunners who will be hoping their captain is able to regain fitness quickly.
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The October international break is looming, and Norway manager Stale Solbakken will be yearning to have the playmaker available.
Odegaard was flawless during the September international break, making his availability all the more important to his country.
In the past, Solbakken has been open about Odegaard’s fitness, and while he’s yet to comment on the midfielder’s latest blow publicly, journalist Carl-Erik Torp has shared an insight.
The reporter told Norwegian outlet NRK that Solbakken ‘understands’ what has happened to Odegaard and Torp believes there is some optimism that the captain will be available for international duty.
“He understands what is happening. For now, I think he thinks it is going well, and that Odegaard will be ready, but it will be exciting to hear what reports come from the medical team in the next few days,” Torp said.
Norway face Israel in the World Cup Qualifiers during the October international break, as well as clashing with New Zealand in a friendly.
What Mikel Arteta said about Odegaard’s injury
Solbakken will be waiting anxiously to learn how quickly Odegaard can recover from his painful knock to the knee.
Mikel Arteta will also spare a thought for his captain, after revealing that he left the Emirates with a knee brace on.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
“I think he had a clash knee-to-knee and immediately he was uncomfortable,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference.
“I just spoke to him, he’s not positive about it. He’s got a brace on, we’ll have to wait and see from the doctors. But we haven’t been very lucky with that either.”
Arsenal haven’t been lucky with injuries early into the season, but fortunately, Arteta’s squad depth allows for key absences here and there.
For now, Solbakken will be the more concerned, as Norway’s World Cup Qualification journey continues shortly.