Solbakken defends Arsenal midfielder Odegaard: He has different role with Norway | OneFootball

Norway coach Stale Solbakken has defended the form of captain Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal midfielder Odegaard offered a low-key performance for Norway's draw with World Cup qualifying opponents Turkey.

But Solbakken said, "I think it goes quite far back in time, from when he as a 15/16-year-old and went out to Real Madrid. He is perceived as a slightly different player than he really is. To me, he is a wonderful mix to be a playmaker and a hard-working midfielder.

"In the first round against the Netherlands when we had the ball 35 percent, he will never be praised for closing the Netherlands' left side one hundred percent. He will never get credit for that.

"He also plays for a team that has less potential to be spectacular. He has a role with me where he has the ability, when we run so much and are so intense, I think he balances taking the ball. The team catches its breath and he is also a very good leader in the group. He is a very strong leader in the locker room. That is probably behind the discussion."