BREAKING Arsenal fans, hold on to your seats! Captain Martin Odegaard has just dropped a MAJOR update on his fitness — after shocking decision to step away from Norway’s international fixtures!
Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has provided an update on his fitness following his decision to withdraw from international duty with Norway. The 25-year-old midfielder, who had been sidelined for two months due to an ankle injury, made his return during Arsenal’s match against Inter Milan last Wednesday and played in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.
Despite only recently returning to action, Ødegaard was called up by Norway coach Ståle Solbakken for this month’s international fixtures. However, after a day of consideration and discussions with the national team’s medical staff, Ødegaard decided to step down from the squad ahead of the Nations League matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.
It is reported that Ødegaard had participated in only two training sessions since his recovery, and he opted to stay at Arsenal’s training facility, which is seen as a positive for the club. Explaining his decision, Ødegaard told TV2: “I managed to play the game on Sunday, but it was a quick transition after the last nine weeks of recovery.”
When asked if he was currently injured, Ødegaard clarified, “It’s a gradual process from injury to full fitness, and sometimes you experience reactions to the work you do. I’ve worked closely with the Norwegian medical team, and we’ve agreed it’s best for me to stay and complete my recovery.”
Ødegaard emphasized that neither Mikel Arteta nor Solbakken pressured him into withdrawing from the international squad. “We’ve had open, constructive conversations,” he said. “I’ve been in contact with Ståle since my injury and especially over the past weeks. Both he and I were eager for me to join the national team, but the decision ultimately depends on my personal fitness.”
Looking ahead, Ødegaard expressed hope that he would be fit to play in Arsenal’s upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on November 23, adding, “I hope to be ready for that game. I’ll continue my recovery and follow up with further assessments, and we’ll see how things progress next week.”
