Solbakken omits Odegaard from Norway squad but may reverse decision

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Martin Odegaard has been left out of Norway’s squad for upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland, although manager Stale Solbakken indicates he may reconsider if the midfielder features in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City this weekend.

The Arsenal captain has been sidelined since injuring his knee while attempting to prevent Keane Lewis-Potter from scoring during last month’s 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Despite missing the subsequent match against Wolves, Odegaard was deemed fit enough for a brief substitute appearance against Tottenham, where he provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ late goal.

That cameo appearance led to a setback, and the 25-year-old has not featured since, missing Arsenal’s last seven matches across three competitions. The injury troubles have compounded what has been a disrupted campaign for Odegaard, who has also dealt with shoulder issues and a separate knee problem earlier in the season.

Limited minutes this season

The Norwegian playmaker has been restricted to just 1,405 minutes so far this campaign – significantly fewer than teammates Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, who have each accumulated around 2,000 minutes more, roughly equivalent to 22 additional full matches.

Odegaard has not represented his country since September, when he scored and assisted twice in an 11-1 victory over Moldova. During his absence, Norway secured World Cup qualification for the first time since 1998.

“If it turns out that he makes it into the League Cup final squad, we will make a new assessment,” Solbakken told the media on Wednesday. “I would prefer him to build his physique and get a proper training period.”

The Norway manager emphasized the importance of taking a long-term view, stating that the World Cup is what matters most, not friendly matches in March. He acknowledged Odegaard’s desperation to be involved in training sessions and be ready for selection.

Return timeline unclear

Writing in the official matchday programme ahead of Arsenal’s win over Bayer Leverkusen, Odegaard provided an update on his recovery progress.

“I’m working hard to be back as soon as I can, and I’m feeling stronger all the time,” the midfielder wrote.

Whether Odegaard will be available for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley remains uncertain. Arsenal supporters will likely gain clearer insight into his fitness status when Mikel Arteta addresses the media on Friday ahead of the Manchester City clash.

The sensible approach from Norway’s management contrasts with previous international breaks that have disrupted Arsenal’s season, and Solbakken’s pragmatic stance suggests player welfare is being prioritized ahead of the World Cup later this year.