Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a nervous wait regarding Martin Ødegaard after the Norway player sustained a heavy tackle during a 2-1 defeat to Portugal. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken confirmed after the match that Ødegaard remains with the national squad ahead of their upcoming fixture against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium.
The Incident and National Team Status
The injury occurred during stoppage time when Portugal’s Bernardo Silva caught Ødegaard with a late challenge. Visibly frustrated, Ødegaard slammed his hand into the turf and voiced his displeasure directly to the Real Madrid player.
Despite the heavy blow, Solbakken stated in a post-match press conference at the Thon Hotel Storo in Oslo that Ødegaard has not been sent home. Norway is scheduled to face Wales on Thursday at 20:45 local time, though it remains uncertain whether Ødegaard will be fit to feature.
Arsenal’s Medical Concerns and Club Communication
Viaplay football expert Tor Ole Skullerud believes the challenge was unnecessary and carries severe implications for club managers during an intense international window. Skullerud noted that Arsenal already lost Kai Havertz to injury the previous week, leaving managers across the Premier League watching closely.
Solbakken addressed how clubs monitor players on international duty, explaining that Arsenal receives continuous data feeds regarding training loads and medical assessments. According to Solbakken, medical sectors maintain near-continuous contact, sending every metric directly to the parent clubs as standard procedure.
Squad Preparations Ahead of Wales Clash
Ødegaard dealt with significant injury setbacks during the previous season, heightening anxiety among supporters when he went down against Portugal. However, Skullerud observed that Ødegaard has appeared well-prepared and fit at the start of the current campaign, suggesting Arteta’s underlying concerns may not extend beyond routine caution for a key player.
Norway’s squad preparations continue in Oslo before travelling to face Wales, leaving national team staff and club officials to evaluate Ødegaard’s recovery day by day.
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