Norway boss shares what Mikel Arteta told him during honest conversation about using Martin Odegaard

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Since the last international break Arsenal have played seven games, and Mikel Arteta’s team have only won twice.

Arsenal beat Shakhtar Donetsk at home and Preston North End in the EFL Cup, but have otherwise failed to win in a period in which Martin Odegaard has been missing.

Before Odegaard’s injury whilst playing for Norway, Arsenal were unbeaten, and since then they’ve lost three times.

Therefore, it’s understandable that Arteta has referred to that period as an ‘absolute nightmare’, begging for no such repeat this time around.

Of course, after playing 95 minutes against Chelsea, Odegaard has joined up with Norway’s international squad, despite not originally being called up.

Martin Odegaard only completed one full training session before facing Chelsea

Fortunately for Arsenal, it would seem as if Arteta’s communication with Norway manager Stale Solbakken has been very open and honest since Sunday’s game.

Speaking in the Norwegian press, Solbakken shared what he had been told by Arteta and suggested that he won’t take a risk with the club and country captain.

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He said: “He (Arteta) called me. We discussed the situation openly and honestly.

“He didn’t have much more information than what had come to light and what Martin had said to both the medical team at Arsenal and to us.

“He has trained one and a half times in almost eight weeks since the injury. When he plays 95 minutes, there must be a reaction.

“This will be a decision that will hopefully be made within a couple of days between the medical team and Martin. He is the one who must feel 100 per cent ready for this.”

Arsenal struggled for goals during Martin Odegaard’s injury

Norway have two fixtures over the upcoming international break, facing Slovenia on Thursday and Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Unfortunately from an Arsenal perspective, these are important games for Solbakken and his team given three sides are level on seven points in their Nations League group.

That explains why Norway might consider using Odegaard, who clearly needs to be protected to ensure he remains fit for the rest of the season.

Surprisingly, Arsenal fans have been in favour of Odegaard playing for Norway, with many believing that their captain could benefit from the game time.

Either way, all associated with the club will just be hoping for the captain’s safe return either way.