Martin Odegaard ruled out of Norway squad despite Arsenal return: ‘We cannot risk his health’
The Gunners captain made his first start on Sunday since August after recovering from injury but has pulled out of international duty
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says he has “listened to my body” and returned to London after being ruled out of international duty for Norway.
Odegaard started for the first time since August in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw after being sidelined by an ankle injury.
The 25-year-old flew to Oslo to link up with the Norway squad for Nations League fixtures against Slovenia and Kazakhstan, but will now complete his rehabilitation work in London.
“After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately concluded that the situation is not good enough to play these matches,” Norway captain Odegaard told the official Norwegian Football Association website.
“I’ve been through a long training period and when you haven’t practiced football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100 per cent yet.
“I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape.
“The hope has always been to be able to play the national matches, and if I hadn’t played on Sunday, it would have been out of the question to participate anyway.
“It’s a very bad feeling to lose these games, I love playing for Norway and with this team.”
Norway team doctor Ola Sand said Odegaard had suffered a “complicated” ankle injury and that he needs more time to be “match-ready again”.
National-team manager Stale Solbakken said: “We knew that there was a risk that Martin would not be ready.
“He has had a strong desire to take part in the matches, but we cannot risk his health.”
Arsenal’s next clash in the Premier League is a home game with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 23.
PA