Martin Odegaard international U-turn now confirmed as key Norway update emerges on Arsenal star

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Arsenal welcomed Martin Odegaard back from injury on week 11 of the season however, Mikel Arteta is set to lose the captain again.

The Gunners played out a disappointing 1-1 draw against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday, with the result seeing Arsenal’s winless run extend. 

Despite heading into the international break nine points below the summit, Odegaard’s return was a positive for Arteta, as the skipper played a full 90 minutes. 

The Norweigan was out for six weeks with an ankle injury sustained on international duty and now, the manager is preparing to bid farewell to his key creator again.

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Martin Odegaard to report for international duty

What Arteta won’t want to do is rush the midfielder back, with the international break coming at the perfect time to hand the 25-year-old a rest.

That was the thought as Norway didn’t name Odegaard in the squad for the November Nations League fixtures however, Stale Solbakken has since changed his mind. 

Norwegian outlet Nettavisen confirmed that the Arsenal star will report to Solbakken for international duty, despite being omitted from the provisional squad. 

• READ MORE: Arsenal face possible Martin Odegaard dilemma as Mikel Arteta reveals international break concern

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s draw with Chelsea, national team coach Solbakken said:

“I spoke to him [Odegaard] late yesterday, he is on his way to Oslo, so we can take it from there.”

It’s still unclear as to whether the attacking midfielder will play for his country during the break, with Arsenal in contact with Solbakken regarding the player’s fitness.

Arsenal will watch Odegaard closely

What is difficult for Arsenal is the fact that Odegaard is not only the Gunners’ captain but is Norway’s captain too. 

• READ MORE: Martin Odegaard stuns Mikel Arteta by doing something no other player is ‘capable of’ vs Chelsea

As a result, it’s less likely that the midfielder would be withdrawn from duty at the club’s request, with him being such an integral part of Solbakken’s squad.

Given that Odegaard was injured whilst on duty in September, Arteta will be monitoring his captain’s progress over the break with some anxiety.

There’s a job to be done at Arsenal when the skipper returns to North London after the Nations League action, emphasising the need for him to get back to the Emirates unscathed.