Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has reported to international duty carrying more than just a knock.
The 25-year-old was not his usual self against Brighton last week in the Premier League and was seen hobbling around on numerous occasions.
Odegaard suffered a knock in the first half of the game and never seemed to shake it off however, the midfielder reported to international duty as usual.
Mikel Arteta will hope now more than ever to see his players return from the international break ready to attack the North London derby although, there may be an issue for his captain.
Stale Solbakken says Martin Odegaard is carrying an injury
Odegaard had a relaxing summer as Norway did not qualify for Euro 2024 however, his national team are raring to achieve more in the coming months.
Stale Solbakken’s side will face Kazakhstan and Austria in the Nations League during the September international break, fixtures that Odegaard may not be a part of.
Speaking in a press conference, Solbakken shared an update on the Arsenal captain’s fitness, suggesting that the midfielder is carrying more than just the knock he sustained against Brighton.
When asked if Odegaard is still feeling the effects of the Brighton fixture, Solbakken said, “I don’t think that’s what it is, I think it’s another bang.”
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The Norweigan added, “I was about to say. I think it is something other than the bang, so to speak.”
It’s a concerning admission for both Norway and Arsenal, with Odegaard being at the heart of both sides.
Arsenal team news ahead of the North London derby
When the international break concludes, domestic action will resume in style for the Gunners, as a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium comes next in the Premier League.
Aside from Odegaard’s injury concerns, Declan Rice is suspended for the fixture and fellow midfielder Mikel Merino is also injured.
Arteta has a real problem to solve in the middle of the park based on the absences of his two deep midfielders, with Odegaard’s revelation not coming as welcomed news.
The severity of the skipper’s knock is yet to be known, with there hope that the playmaker is given some time to rest ahead of the critical clash with Spurs.
Norway are in action on Friday afternoon against Kazakhstan and again on Monday night against Austria, with Arsenal eyes set to be locked on both games to learn more about Odegaard’s status.