Norwegian coach Ståle Solbakken has assured Arsenal fans that midfielder Martin Ødegaard is not suffering from a serious knee injury.
The 27-year-old Gunner captain has been plagued by fitness problems this season and has missed the last two games, his third injury absence since early February.
Having made just 13 Premier League starts this season, it has been suggested that Ødegaard may need more time out to resolve his fitness problems. However, Solbakken insisted that the situation is not that worrying.
“There is nothing serious with Martin,” the Norwegian coach declared to Viaplay. “The most important thing is that he recovers completely and we do well for the summer. For those of us who care about the World Cup, it is not a disgrace that he is having luck now. He is going to recover and will be crucial for Arsenal in April/May and perhaps at the end of March.”
Just a few weeks ago, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta expressed his fears over the direction of his team’s season after injuries took a toll on his midfield.
Arsenal have seen fitness problems blight the latter stages of their title fights in years past and, when Ødegaard joined Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz and youngster Max Dowman on the sidelines, things threatened to go in the same direction.
Results began to slip as there were mixed results from Eberechi Eze’s increased minutes and Bukayo Saka’s experimentation in a central role, and the delicate nature of the Premier League title race was all doom and gloom.
Havertz and Dowman have already returned and Ødegaard is clearly closing in on his own return, adding to Arteta’s chances in a period when the Gunners are still competing for four major trophies.
To stay competitive in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, Arteta will need rotation options – and high-level ones at that. Even on the most favorable side of the draw in Europe’s top competition, Arsenal will need all the tools at their disposal.
Ødegaard’s imminent return gives Arsenal the opportunity to do just that. The Norwegian offers another option at the top of Arteta’s midfield and will complement the resurgent Eze in trying to keep Arsenal’s title fight alive.
There is no concrete return date for Ødegaard yet, but Solbakken appears confident that the Gunners captain will return in April, leaving the door open for a welcome return as early as this month.
Possible return date for Ødegaard
With an international break at the end of March, Solbakken will have selfish intentions with Ødegaard. He will want his star midfielder to return in time for Norway’s final preparation period before the World Cup, but he will also avoid unnecessary risks so close to this summer’s final.
Arsenal and Norway are expected to work together to support Ødegaard’s return, which is likely to be delayed until after the break, even if it forces him to miss the Carabao Cup final.
If Ødegaard can regain his best form upon his return, Arsenal’s title dreams could quickly become a reality.
