Norway boss confirms another setback for Odegaard | OneFootball

Martin Odegaard has picked up another knock in training with Norway, but he’s still expected to be available for Friday’s fixture.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal hands the Captains armband to Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was withdrawn early against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday after a knock, so his involvement on international was initially a source for encouragement.

If the playmaker was fit to feature for Norway, presumably his injury with Arsenal wasn’t that bad.

Yet Norway boss Stale Solbakken has since revealed that the midfielder has picked up another knock in training with his national team.

Georgia’s Otar Kiteishvili (C) and Norway’s Martin Odegaard (R) vie for the ball during the EURO 2024 first round group A qualifying football match between Norway and Georgia in Oslo on September 12, 2023. (Photo by LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

“I don’t think that’s what it is,” Solbakken said, when asked if Odegaard’s latest problem was related to his issue with Arsenal. “I think it’s another bang, I was about to say.

“I think it is something other than the (Arsenal) bang, so to speak.”

Fortunately, Solbakken added that Odegaard was still expected to take part in training, but we’ll get a better idea of how bad the problem is when the teams are released for Norway’s game against Kazakhstan.

MALAGA, SPAIN: Martin Odegaard of Norway reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group A match between Spain and Norway at La Rosaleda Stadium on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Norway play Kazakhstan away from home in a UEFA Nations League clash on Friday, September 6th at 15:00 BST. With any luck, Odegaard will be involved and he’ll come through the game unscathed.

Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in their next fixture, playing away from home at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15th.