Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard 'Very Frustrated and Grumpy' Over Injury Blow
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been left "very frustrated and grumpy" by his latest injury setback, according to Norway national team manager Stale Solbakken. The midfielder has been sidelined with a knee problem since Arsenal's victory over Tottenham on February 22, missing crucial fixtures including the Champions League round-of-16 win over Bayer Leverkusen and the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Injury Timeline and Missed Opportunities
The knee issue has significantly limited Odegaard's impact this season, with the Norwegian playmaker also absent during the October and November World Cup qualifiers. During that period, Norway secured top spot in Group I with a perfect record from eight fixtures, including a notable 4-1 away win over Italy. Solbakken confirmed that Odegaard will again be unavailable for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland, marking a prolonged absence from international duty.
"He is very frustrated and grumpy. He has not been involved since we beat Moldova 11-1 in September. It is his last international match," Solbakken told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet. "He was not on the field against Israel, Estonia or Italy. It is clear that it hurts."
Arsenal's Cautious Approach and Recovery Timeline
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has emphasised a cautious approach, stating that the club will not take any risks in rushing Odegaard back too soon. Solbakken ruled out the possibility of Odegaard joining the Norway camp in Amsterdam or for next week's game in Oslo, instead focusing on his rehabilitation with Arsenal. "Now it is three weeks until Arsenal play again, or two-and-a-half weeks. I think it could be a goal for Martin to be in a squad then. It is within reach," Solbakken said. "There is no reason for him to travel now. He has to train with Arsenal. If he wants to use a day off to come here, he is welcome to do so, but it is not something that has been planned."
Arsenal's Squad Challenges and Upcoming Fixtures
Arsenal will look to regroup after the international break following a lacklustre 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, where Nico O'Reilly scored twice in four minutes during the second half. The Gunners currently sit nine points clear of City at the top of the Premier League, having played one more match. Key upcoming fixtures include:
- FA Cup quarter-final away to Southampton on April 4
- Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Sporting Lisbon on April 7
In addition to Odegaard, Arsenal faces other injury concerns. Defenders Gabriel (knee), William Saliba (ankle), and Jurrien Timber (ankle) have all withdrawn from international duty, along with England midfielder Eberechi Eze due to a calf problem. Forward Leandro Trossard was not called up by Belgium as he manages a hip issue.
International Updates and Player Fitness
On a positive note, Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori hopes to be fit for Italy's play-off against Northern Ireland. Italian boss Gennaro Gattuso had noted that Calafiori "felt a little discomfort" after Sunday's game, but the player reassured media on Tuesday: "I am fine. We will see how it goes on the pitch today, but I am fine." This provides a glimmer of hope for Arsenal as they navigate a congested fixture list and aim to maintain their lead in the Premier League while competing on multiple fronts.
