International manager issues positive injury update on Arsenal star amid absence

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Arsenal star Martin Odegaard has missed the last few games with injury, but there is positive news ahead of his possible recovery.

Mikel Arteta recently revealed that he had been struggling with a hip issue, and was benched for games against Sheffield United and West Ham, but was then absent from the squad entirely for the last three games.

It has since emerged that Odegaard was absent from the squad due to concussion, completely separate from his hip issue, but his hip problem has now meant that he will not travel to join the Norway squad in this international break.

Norway manager issues Odegaard injury update

Many may wonder what kind of long-term effect this hip injury may have on the Arsenal captain, but Norway manager Stale Solbakken has dropped a positive hint.

“The club is so reserved, so I don’t know how much to say about it. But I have known so much about the injury that I have never really planned with Martin,” Solbakken stated.

“We took him out of the squad, because then there was a hope that he could play the match against Sevilla or Burnley at the weekend.

“But when it became clear early in the week that he probably wouldn’t make it, we haven’t planned with him.

“I can put it this way that it is a very common football injury from which you will probably recover very well, and which is not career-threatening. So he will play many more international matches for Norway.”

Odegaard’s injury problems

Odegaard’s hip injury was clearly impacting his form, as he saw a dip in output prior to his eventual drop down to the bench, and was receiving criticism for failing to impose himself on games like he did last season.

An extended rest during this international break should hopefully see him recover well to make a strong return to the side. Whilst Arsenal have coped well in most of the games he missed, they really felt his absence during the defeat to Newcastle, which saw Arteta’s side register just one shot on target.

With Emile Smith Rowe also recovering from injury, Kai Havertz disappointing and Fabio Vieira suspended, Arteta will be very keen on bringing Odegaard back in as soon as he is ready.