Arsenal in continuous contact with Norway as Odegaard suffers ankle injury on international duty

Martin Odegaard sustained an ankle injury during Norway’s match against Portugal on Sunday, raising fresh concerns at Arsenal after the captain was caught by a late tackle from Bernardo Silva. Norwegian manager Stale Solbakken confirmed that his medical staff are in near-constant contact with the Gunners over the 27-year-old’s condition.

Odegaard was visibly frustrated in the immediate aftermath of the challenge. “He just kicked me down long after I’d played the ball away: I don’t understand what he’s doing,” the playmaker said. Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reported that he received “treatment behind closed doors for a long time” before telling reporters the injury “probably won’t be good tonight.”

Solbakken, speaking to Nettavisen, outlined the level of communication in place between the national team and Arsenal. “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.”

Odegaard’s involvement in Norway’s upcoming fixture against Wales is now in doubt. The injury echoes a damaging spell last season when an ankle problem sustained on international duty sidelined him for two months — a period that coincided with Arsenal’s collapse in the Premier League title race, which ultimately ended in Liverpool lifting the trophy.

The timing compounds a difficult international break for Mikel Arteta. Kai Havertz limped off during Germany’s fixture, while Declan Rice withdrew from England’s squad entirely. Defender Ezri Konsa sat out training with England following their defeat to Spain at Wembley, and Jurrien Timber is following an individual programme as he manages his return from injury. Ben White also remains unavailable after picking up a knock earlier in the season.

Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds United when the international break concludes.