Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard has returned to London after pulling out of Norway’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan, following a recent injury.
Odegaard, who recently came back from a seven-week ankle injury, decided to prioritize his recovery, saying, “I need to listen to my body.”
After briefly playing in Arsenal’s Champions League loss to Inter Milan and starting in the draw against Chelsea, Odegaard joined Norway’s squad in Oslo, only to conclude that he wasn’t fit enough to compete in the upcoming games.
“After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately come to the conclusion that the situation is not good enough to play these games,” Odegaard explained, emphasizing the toll of his recent injury layoff. He added, “I’ve been through a long training period, and when you haven’t practised football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100% yet. I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process, and get my foot back in good shape.” Despite his desire to represent Norway, he acknowledged that pushing through could risk further setbacks.
Norwegian team doctor Ola Sand agreed with Odegaard’s decision, noting that the midfielder’s recovery was still ongoing. “We examined Martin thoroughly last night, and we are certain that he is not match-ready. He has a complicated ankle injury and has trained very little in recent weeks. What we know is that a previous injury is often the precursor to a new one, so it’s too risky,” Sand stated. Sand also emphasized Odegaard’s commitment, saying that although he was eager to play, the risk of re-injury made participation “completely unrealistic.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has recently faced a challenging injury situation with the team, will likely welcome Odegaard’s early return as the Gunners prepare for their next Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on November 23. This time off could be essential for Odegaard’s full recovery, ensuring he’s ready to rejoin Arsenal’s push for success in both domestic and European competitions.
