Arsenal get unexpected Martin Odegaard injury update as shock decision confirmed

Norway boss Ståle Solbakken has confirmed that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will join up with the national team for this month's international break.

Odegaard made just his fifth appearance of the 2024/25 season on Sunday in the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Chelsea. He had missed the last two months after picking up an ankle injury in September.

After coming off the bench in last week's Champions League loss to Inter Milan, the 25-year-old played 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge. There had been doubts over his inclusion in Norway's November camp but it now seems like he will link-up with his national team.

Speaking to Nettavisen, Solbakken has revealed that the Gunners star is on his way to Oslo to join the rest of the squad. "I spoke to him late yesterday," he said. "He is on his way to Oslo, so we can take it from here."

Despite Solbakken confirming Odegaard's travel plan, it is not yet clear whether he'll play in the Nations League double-header with Slovenia and Kazakhstan.

"We'll see how it turns out," Solbakken added to VG Sporten. "The ankle, the medics and Martin decide this."

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping his captain will return to north London unscathed ahead of the hectic winter period. The Gunners boss will play 10 times between now and the New Year, a set of fixtures that could play a huge part in the Premier League title race.

"I don't know another player that is capable of [playing 90 minutes to that standard] after six weeks out," Arteta said. "He had a day-and-a-half to be able to do that. Just how physically and mentally connected he was with the team was unbelievable."