Martin Odegaard, an injured midfielder for Arsenal, is expected to be ready for the November international break, according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken.
Since suffering damage to his ankle ligament during a match for his nation in September, the attacking midfielder has not featured for the Gunners. Even if Arsenal has won six of their last nine games, Mikel Arteta’s team has lacked inspiration without him.
Arteta’s hint that his club captain is almost ready to return to fitness allayed fears of a setback earlier this month. The manager of Norway, Solbakken, has now acknowledged that he is hopeful Odegaard will be part of his team for the international matches next month.
“Everything suggests that things are proceeding as planned,” he told Norwegian publication Verdens Gang. It concerns the last stages of team training and training against opponents. We have a right to believe that he is prepared, but it will rely on how he reacts to that.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with him. It’s easier now that things are beginning to move forward, but getting hurt is never enjoyable. However, he hasn’t been hurt too often, therefore it’s most likely a training issue.
The Premier League title contenders will greatly benefit from Odegaard’s comeback, but the former Real Madrid player was left out of the team for Tuesday’s Champions League triumph over Shakhtar Donetsk and is not expected to play in Sunday’s crucial matchup with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Centre-back William Saliba is suspended after receiving a red card in the 2-0 loss to Bournemouth, and Arteta has already warned that Odegaard may miss the match along with Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori. The Spaniard’s choices would also be restricted if Jurrien Timber were to be absent.