“Hasn’t been sent home” – Arsenal player undergoes tests, ongoing Arteta worry
by Naveen Ullal · Sport WitnessArsenal‘s Martin Ødegaard is making progress after suffering an ankle injury with Norway last weekend and could be available to face Wales on Thursday.
Norway secured a 3-2 win over Denmark before suffering a 2-1 loss to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.
The Arsenal man was at the receiving end of a late tackle from Real Madrid’s Bernando Silva against Portugal.
Manager holds on to Arsenal star
Last weekend, the 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes and received treatment behind closed doors. The initial signs suggested his setback was worse while he was hopeful the injury wouldn’t force him withdraw from this international break.
On Tuesday, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken confirmed their medical staff are in regular contact with the Gunners. Martin Ødegaard was working on his recovery but didn’t train with the group yesterday.
Solbakken now shares more updates about the midfielder’s injury, and Fædrelandsvennen have relayed his comments.
On Bernando Silva’s tackle, he said: “It’s ugly, and it is on the verge of a red card. He just wants a stop in the game, and it is something that happens from behind. Ødegaard’s reaction also says a little.”
The manager has refused to confirm or deny the Arsenal man will leave the Norway camp.
“We’ll see, but he hasn’t been sent home,” Solbakken explained.
| Stat | 2025/26 | 2026/27 so far |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 36 | 8 |
| Minutes played | 1,982 | 570 |
| Goals | 1 | 4 |
| Assists | 7 | 0 |
| Goal contributions | 8 | 4 |
| Minutes per goal | 1,982 | 143 |
X-ray shows no major setback for Arsenal man
Norway team coordinator Brede Hangeland also spoke to the reporters on Tuesday about Martin Ødegaard and Fædrelandsvennen have relayed his comments.
He confirms the player took X-ray of his ankle and confirms things are looking better for him.
“Martin was in the breakfast room, he was happy and he had less pain in his ankle than yesterday. It is a long time until the next match. It is a full two and a half days. A lot can happen in that time” he added.
“Martin will be able to do what he wants in training today with regards to his ankle, and I am happy that it is much better than yesterday.”
“Ola Sand (the national team doctor) has that under control. As far as I understood, there was nothing dramatic in those images [X-ray]. The most important thing is that the guy is feeling better. The images show a snapshot, while he’s still recovering. And the progress is positive.”
When asked whether the Arsenal midfielder can feature against Wales, Hangeland said: “There’s no doubt about it, as far as I understand. We don’t intend for him to be there just as a social minister. The goal is for him to contribute on the field.”
Mikel Arteta will no doubt be worried.