“He’s not doing well” – NT manager provides update on Arsenal player, regular talks with Arteta

Arsenal went into the international break by securing a 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta was without Martin Ødegaard for the match as the player had picked up a calf injury. The Norway international’s absence led to concerns in his country, over his involvement in the UEFA Nations League games against Slovenia and Serbia this month.

On Monday, Norway media manager Morten Skjønsberg said a decision has not been taken on the 22-year-old’s involvement with the national team in their next two ties.

Later that day, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken provided an update on the Arsenal star’s injury.

“We are in regular dialogue with him and (Mikel) Arteta and Arsenal’s health sector, as it is called in Danish. Nothing has been decided there, so there is still hope,” Solbakken said, as quoted by TV2.

It’s not clear whether Mikel Arteta’s man will regain full fitness to feature at least once for his country in the ongoing international break. Irrespective of the ex-Real Madrid player’s current situation, Solbakken has admitted that Ødegaard will be with the Norway camp.

“They are the ones who have had ‘hands on him’ up until now, and they are in dialogue,” he added.

“He’s not doing well now. Now it’s a matter of getting a final decision on whether he can be in both or one game. We’ll certainly see him in Norway, either as a player or a ‘fourth coach’. It means a lot to have him.”

TV2 add Solbakken claims it will be surprising if Ødegaard doesn’t feature for Norway this month, but they don’t provide any quote from the national team manager.