More than two months later, Mikel Arteta was able to count on his captain <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/english-league-cup-arsenal-resist-liverpool-in-semi-final-first-leg/" title="English League Cup: <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/tottenham-chelsea-0-1-emergency-doctor-use-in-the-final-antonio-rudiger-with-back-goal-football/" title="Tottenham – Chelsea 0: 1: emergency doctor use in the final, Antonio Rüdiger with back goal – football”>Arsenal resist Liverpool in semi-final first leg”>Martin Odegaard to start last weekend’s match against Chelsea in which he took out his ‘wand’ to assist Martinelli in the 0-1 score that, later, Pedro Neto ended up equaling. But, Despite having traveled to Norway for this national team break, the Gunners’ ‘8’ has returned to London to finish getting ready.
“After speaking with the national team’s medical staff, we have unfortunately come to the conclusion that the situation is not good enough to play these games.”Odegaard confessed in a note issued on the Norwegian Federation website.
Let us remember that Martin He suffered an ankle injury during the September break. More specifically, in the clash against Austria in which he had to be substituted in the second half. Since then, He remained off the pitch during 13 games in which Arsenal fell out of the Premier League. He reappeared in a testimonial against Inter Milan before completing the match against Chelsea. “I don’t know another player who is capable of playing 90 minutes at that level after six weeks out”Arteta said.
“I have been through a long period of recovery and when you haven’t practiced soccer in the last nine weeks, It’s natural not to be 100% yet.I need to listen to my bodycomplete this rehabilitation process and get my foot back in good shape,” Odegaard continued.
Arteta breathes… but not so much the coach Stale Solbakkenwhich is at stake during this break for first place that could catapult Norway to League A of the Nations League. They will face Slovakia at home to close the ‘liguilla’ in Kazakhstan. For now, They lead the group… but there is a three-way tie with Austria and Slovakia.
“We knew there was a risk that Martin would not be ready. He really wanted to participate in the games, but we cannot risk his health”Solbakken admitted.
