Martin Odegaard has withdrawn from the Norway squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan to focus on recovering from an ongoing ankle injury. The midfielder, who sustained the injury during international duty in September, recently made his return to action with Arsenal. He played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League, contributing an assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal. Despite his return to the pitch for his club, Ødegaard will not be joining up with the Norway squad for their next fixtures.
Odegaard’s decision to miss the upcoming Nations League games comes after ongoing concerns over his ankle injury. Norway’s national team doctor, Ola Sand, explained that the midfielder’s fitness is not at its peak after a limited number of training sessions with Arsenal in recent weeks. Sand stated, "With very few training sessions with the team [Arsenal] over the past nine weeks, it's natural that the body is not 100% at this stage." After discussions with medical professionals and assessments of Odegaard’s condition, it was determined that he should focus on his rehabilitation in London to avoid further strain or injury.
The decision for Odegaard to remain in London was made collaboratively by the player and the medical staff. The priority now is to ensure that Ødegaard is fully fit and able to perform at his best for both his club and the national team. This approach is aimed at protecting his long-term fitness, especially with important fixtures ahead for both Arsenal and Norway.
Despite Odegaard’s absence, Norway’s national team remains in a strong position in their Nations League group, currently leading alongside Slovenia and Austria. The team has shown resilience and strong performances in his absence, with Ødegaard’s return to full fitness being seen as crucial for the country’s continued success in the competition. His health and readiness for future matches will be key for both Norway and Arsenal as they look ahead to the next stages of their respective campaigns.
