Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard's Injury Scare Eased by Norway Manager
Arsenal have received a mixed update on captain Martin Odegaard's fitness after he suffered a knee problem during the match against Sporting CP. The 27-year-old midfielder was substituted in that game and subsequently missed training on Thursday, sparking concerns among fans and pundits alike.
Solbakken Downplays Odegaard's Knock
Norway national team manager Stale Solbakken has moved to allay fears, stating he does not believe the injury is serious. Speaking at a press conference at Ullevaal Stadium, Solbakken remarked, "He got a little one (bang) where he shouldn't have gotten it, but I don't think it's pitch black." He added, "We don't need any more setbacks now," highlighting the importance of Odegaard's availability ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
This comes after former Norway defender Jesper Mathisen expressed alarm on TV2, describing images of Odegaard going down as "scary" and likening it to "watching a horror movie." Mathisen noted, "It would have been a big loss for both Arsenal and Norway if he had to go out with an injury again."
Odegaard's Recent Injury History
Odegaard had only just returned to action at the weekend after spending over a month on the sidelines. He featured in Arsenal's FA Cup loss to Southampton before starting against Sporting CP. Prior to this, he was unavailable for Norway's fixtures against the Netherlands and Switzerland, having been sidelined since Arsenal's north London derby with Tottenham in February.
During the Sporting match, Odegaard required medical attention for knee discomfort and was replaced by Kai Havertz. Although he walked off the pitch without apparent difficulty, his absence from Thursday's training session raised questions about his readiness for upcoming games.
Positive News for Arsenal with Eze's Return
In a boost for Arsenal, Eberechi Eze has returned to training ahead of the Premier League clash against Bournemouth. The summer signing has been recovering from a calf injury that kept him out of the Carabao Cup final and England's international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Eze was spotted at London Colney on Thursday, indicating he could be in contention for selection.
However, not all news was positive from the training ground. Riccardo Calafiori, who started alongside Odegaard against Sporting, was notably absent from the session, adding to Arsenal's injury concerns.
Looking Ahead to Bournemouth Fixture
Arsenal will aim to build on their victory over Sporting when they host Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. The return of Eze provides a welcome lift as the Gunners navigate a crucial period in the title race. Fans will be hoping Odegaard's issue proves minor, allowing him to contribute to the team's efforts in the coming weeks.
