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When will Martin Odegaard return? Injury update

Martin Odegaard left the pitch in tears when he suffered a right ankle injury during the international break. The Arsenal captain was substituted in the sixty-seventh minute of the game after a tackle by Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner. After the Nations League clash, it wasn’t clear what the status of his injury was but after he was photographed boarding a plane in crutches, Arsenal fans knew that this wasn’t a day-to-day issue. The match ended in a 2-1 win for the Norwegians, but the injury has kept Odegaard away for a month. He missed key clashes against Tottenham and Manchester City. Even though the team has managed to get the results in his absence, the void is evident.

With no official return date for Martin Odegaard, the recent comments made by Stale Solbakken, the Norway manager can help assess the situation better. Let’s see what the coach has to say about his return and what his absence means for Arsenal.

What did Stale Solbakken say?

The Norway coach while speaking to reporters said that Odegaard was never in contention for this international break. This was disheartening for Arsenal fans as Arteta had hinted at the midfielder’s return after the international break. Solbakken also said that he has known the fact that Odegaard wont be able to play right now for a long time.

He spoke to the midfielder four or five days ago. Solbakken said that Martin Odegaard may join his teammates to provide leadership and build morale. The coach was very sure that the 25-year-old needs more time. He has already missed four weeks of action and according to some reports might miss eight! The pictures of his foot which got released also did not look good. Martin Odegaard is an exceptional player, irreplaceable both for club and country. He is valuable for both hence Arsenal and the national team are in no hurry to get him back.

Arteta did say that Odegaard is pushing hard to get back to fitness and giving a timeline for his return is difficult. But Solbakken’s comments about his return have put water to that fire.

Arsenal without Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard joined Arsenal in 2021 and his story has been inspirational. The Norwegian midfielder was seen as a prodigy since his early teens. His immense talent led him to join Real Madrid at the age of sixteen. He was seen as a future hall of famer but his career at Real Madrid never took off. He went on loan to a few clubs, but his performances were average.

His time at Arsenal has been the complete opposite. In the next few seasons, his stock as a player and the condition of the club has improved. Arsenal and Odegaard have grown together, the last five years have transformed both. After coming close to winning the league, this year looks like Arsenal’s.

Before this injury, Martin Odegaard had never missed more than twenty days for Arsenal since joining. He is the team’s most important player while attacking. Taking nothing away from Bukayo Saka but Martin Odegaard is the one who provides creative sparks for the team. The Norwegian is one of the best in the world at his role and has entered the conversation of being a top tier number eight/ten.

Playing without their captain and playmaker, Arsenal have done well. They are still undefeated in all competitions this season and look set to challenge for the title again. Even though Odegaard’s loss hasn’t hurt Arsenal deeply on the points table, sooner or later Arsenal will need him if they are to win a trophy this season.

A trusted source on GoonerNews.com

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