Another injury blow for Arsenal! Mikel Arteta handed fresh setback in Premier League title chase after key defender leaves international camp
Arsenal also received a worrying update earlier in the week when Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken said Odegaard was still “some distance away” from rehabilitation. The midfielder has been out of action since suffering medial ligament damage in his left knee during the 2-0 league win over West Ham on October 4.
“It’s stable,” Solbakken told reporters when asked about Odegaard’s injury. “It’s going in a stable direction but he is some distance away. He will fly (to Oslo) after his rehabilitation on Thursday. Then he will continue his rehabilitation with us and will be with us from Thursday afternoon. I don’t know when the flight will leave. But he will be with us until Milan.”
Despite an injury, Odegaard opted to join the Norway national team as they are on the verge of reaching the 2026 World Cup. Solbakken’s team are all but qualified for next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States after their 4-1 victory over Estonia on Thursday.
Norway are three points ahead of Group I second-placed Italy, who are unlikely to overturn their current 17-goal deficit against Solbakken’s men when the two countries meet on Sunday.
Arsenal return to Premier League action next Sunday when they host fierce rivals Tottenham in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium. Thomas Frank’s Spurs are currently fifth in the table and eight points behind Arteta’s side, having won five of their 11 matches.