Norway manager Ståle Solbakken says national team staff are in regular contact with Arsenal to share reports and discuss Martin Ødegaard’s injury situation.
Last season, the midfielder picked up multiple injuries, limiting his game with the north London club. His situation improved a lot as he’s featured in every fixture for Arsenal this season.
Ødegaard also played the full 90 minutes in Norway’s win over Denmark and the defeat to Portugal.
During the clash against Portugal on Sunday, the 27-year-old received a late tackle from Real Madrid’s Bernardo Silva.
Arsenal aware of star’s situation with NT
After the match, Martin Ødegaard received treatment inside the dressing room. The initial signs show Norway and the Gunners may have reason to worry.
The former Real Sociedad man said he’s unsure of missing Norway’s upcoming fixtures.
He said: “I hope not, but I took a knock to my ankle there, so it’s certainly not going to feel great tonight [Sunday]. He just kicked me down long after I’d played the ball away. I don’t understand what he’s doing.”
Ståle Solbakken has been speaking to Nettavisen to discuss the Arsenal player’s injury situation. The manager confirmed ongoing contact with Mikel Arteta’s side.
“The medical sector reports what has happened, and now it is the case that every metre you run here, and all training and everything you have done, is sent to the club. The medical contact is almost continuous,” he said.
“It’s standard procedure. I don’t interfere with that. There are four or five people for that, so they have to manage that.”
| Statistic | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Club | Arsenal | Arsenal |
| Appearances | 45 | 36 |
| Minutes | 3,444 | 1,982 |
| Goals | 6 | 1 |
| Assists | 11 | 7 |
| Goals + assists | 17 | 8 |
| Goals + assists per 90 | 0.44 | 0.36 |
Expert says Mikel Arteta worried
Viaplay expert Tor Ole Skullerud also spoke to Nettavisen to discuss the fitness and injury issues with the Premier League winners.
Last week, Germany confirmed Arsenal star Kai Havertz’s withdrawal from this ongoing break because of a muscle injury. The expert says this, coupled with Martin Ødegaard’s situation, is a concern for Mikel Arteta.
“And now he [Arteta] lost Havertz to injury just last week. These managers are probably spending the next two weeks, since this is a slightly different and longer stretch, with more games and a tighter schedule, with their hearts in their throats, wondering how this is all going to turn out,” Skullerud explained.
Norway face Wales and Portugal on October 1st and 5th respectively. It’ll be interesting to see whether Ødegaard features in either or both matches.
Update: Martin Ødegaard is out of training on Tuesday, showing that he continues to struggle with the issue.
