Norway boss Stale Solbakken offers update on Martin Odegaard plan after Arsenal captain flies out to Oslo

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Norway will decide in the next “couple of days” what role he will play for them during the international break.

Odegaard flew out to Oslo on Monday to join up with the Norway squad, who have games against Slovenia and Kazakhstan this week.

The midfielder has only just returned to action for Arsenal after injuring his ankle playing for Norway at the start of September.

Odegaard played the final few minutes of last Wednesday’s defeat at Inter Milan, before completing the whole game on Sunday as Arsenal drew 1-1 at Chelsea.

The 25-year-old, who is Norway’s captain, was not initially selected in the squad for this week’s game, which was announced last Tuesday.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealed at the time, though, that Odegaard could join at a later date and he has now done so.

Odegaard will be assessed by Norway over the next few days before a decision is taken as to whether he plays a part in Thursday’s game in Slovenia or Sunday’s match at home to Kazakhstan.

The matches are important for Norway, who are trying to get promoted in the Nations League. Norway are top of Group B3 on seven points, but Austria and Slovenia are also on the same number.

“He (Mikel Arteta) called me,” said Solbakken. “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.”