Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed an update regarding Martin Odegaard's injury. The 23-year-old midfielder missed the Gunners' trip to Brentford after picking up a small knock to his calf in training.
He returned to action at London Colney ahead of the clash with Thomas Frank's side, though he did not feature in the matchday squad. The Norway international has only missed four games for the north Londoners through injury, with his previous absence coming in April 2021 due to an ankle scare.
This comes as a major problem for Arteta, who named Odegaard as Arsenal's new captain at the start of the season and has since been rewarded for his decision. Despite the midfielder's knock, he's still been called up by his country for the international break and Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has given an update on the Gunners star.
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As quoted by TV2, Solbakken insisted that the Norway national team and Arsenal are speaking regularly regarding Odegaard's situation. He said: "We are in regular dialogue with him and Arteta and Arsenal’s health sector, as it is called in Danish. Nothing has been decided there, so there is still hope.
"They are the ones who have had ‘hands on him’ up until now, and they are in dialogue. He’s not doing well now. Now it’s a matter of getting a final decision on whether he can be in both or one game. We’ll certainly see him in Norway, either as a player or a ‘fourth coach’. It means a lot to have him."
This month, Norway are set to lock horns with Slovenia and Serbia in the UEFA Nations League. For many countries, this is the last round of fixtures before the Qatar World Cup kicks off in November.
However, Norway failed to qualify for the competition. While it comes as hugely disappointing news for Odegaard, the Arsenal star will be granted a few weeks of rest to truly recover from any small knocks that he may be carrying.
Though, that also means Haaland will be given a mini-winter break too - which can only be a disadvantage for every club in the Premier League.
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