Arsenal will be eager to ensure that Martin Odegaard is handled with care as he continues his return to full fitness.
Having been sidelined with injury for a significant spell, Martin Odegaard returned to the Arsenal starting XI when the Gunners took on Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The club captain was able to make an immediate impact upon his return to Premier League action, as he provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal at Stamford Bridge.
Despite being back out on the pitch for the North London club, though, the 25-year-old still won’t be fully fit. He will need to be handled with care in the coming days and weeks to ensure that his condition isn’t aggravated again, too.
Final decision made on Martin Odegaard joining Norway squad
Despite the former Real Madrid man having only just recovered from his injury, it was recently announced that Odegaard would join the Norway squad for this international break.
However, there has now been a U-turn on that decision.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, reporting on X: “Norway staff confirm Martin Ødegaard will not travel with the national team for the upcoming games.
“The plan is for Ødegaard to stay in London and work on his best form with Arsenal staff.”
The Arsenal coaching staff and medical team will work closely with Odegaard over the course of the international break, ensuring that this final stage of his rehabilitation goes smoothly.
Odegaard is not the only Arsenal star in this position. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have both withdrawn from the England squad, as they are carrying knocks of their own.
Why Odegaard staying at Arsenal is ideal for Mikel Arteta
Plenty of Arsenal fans saw the positive side of Odegaard playing for Norway in this international break, recognising that he needs minutes on the pitch to get back to full match fitness.
However, the vast majority of the club’s supporters will surely feel more comfortable with the idea of the skipper remaining in North London.
This state of affairs is also ideal for Arteta, who can now rest safe in the knowledge that Odegaard won’t be overused by Norway, which would have been a real risk were he to have joined with the national team squad as planned.
The Spanish coach and his staff can now work with the midfielder to make sure that he isn’t overburdened, and is ready to hit the ground running for the Gunners once the Premier League resumes.
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