The Norway Football Federation announced on Tuesday that Martin Odegaard wouldn’t be involved in the November internationals, despite travelling to Oslo following Arsenal’s game against Chelsea.
The decision was taken in consultation with multiple parties, with Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealing that Mikel Arteta had called him up about his team captain.
But speaking to the media, Odegaard denied that he’d been pressured by Arsenal to pull out.
“No. We have had an open and good discussion,” Odegaard insisted. “I have spoken with Stale (Solbakken) since I was injured. We have both been keen to make it happen, and that is also why I am in Norway.
“This is not about what Arsenal or Stale have said. It’s about my situation.”
Odegaard played 90 minutes for Arsenal at the weekend, perhaps leading many in Norway to believe that he was fully fit. Yet the player himself says that it’s not that easy, and making a full recovery is a longer process.
“I got through the match at the weekend, but it was a rather abrupt transition from the last nine weeks,” Odegaard admitted.
“In this kind of process, you don’t just go from being injured to suddenly being completely healthy.
“You tend to have a reaction to what happens, and then it’s about how you react to it. Together with the NFF’s medical team, we’ve looked at it and agreed that it’s better for me to go back and make a full recovery.”
As for whether Odegaard will be able to play for Arsenal once club football is back, he seemed optimistic.
“Of course I hope so,” Odegaard answered. “I’m going back now and will have further follow-up, and then we’ll see next week when [club football] picks up again.”
Arsenal face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium next Saturday, November 23rd at 15:00 GMT, and that’s now the target for Arteta’s captain.
