NORWAY EXPECT ODEGAARD TO JOIN INTERLULL CAMP
Norway manager Stale Solbakken says he expects Martin Odegaard to join up with his countrymen at some point during the Interlull but he’s unsure whether the midfielder will be fit enough to feature in Nations League matches with Slovenia and Serbia.
The Arsenal captain picked up an injury in training last week and missed the 3-0 win over Brentford. Ahead of the match, Mikel Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on the specifics of the problem or a timeline for his return but he was thankful for the arrival of a break in the domestic calendar.
Despite the injury, Odegaard was still selected by Norway and they sound keen to have him around the camp even if he’s just there to help in a coaching capacity.
“We are in regular dialogue with him and (Mikel) Arteta and Arsenal’s health sector, as it is called in Danish. Nothing has been decided there, so there is still hope,” Solbakken told TV2.
“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.”
No doubt Arsenal will make it clear that the player’s rehabilitation has to come first, especially with the north London derby 11 days. There’s also a doubleheader with homeland side Bodo/Glimt on the horizon which he won’t want to miss.
The midfielder will benefit from a break over the winter as his country did not qualify for Qatar 2022.
[Source: arseblog.news]