Odegaard injury concerns calmed by manager
Odegaard injury concerns calmed by manager Some in Norway are worried over Martin Odegaard’s injuries, with one former captain questioning what it may mean for the longer term. Yet, inside the national setup, the mood appears much calmer, with Stale Solbakken sounding confident that the Arsenal captain is moving in the right direction. Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images Concern has been raised in Norway over Martin Odegaard’s fitness and long-term workload, but the country’s head coach does not share the alarm.
The Arsenal captain has missed Norway’s last three international camps through injury, with his most recent appearance for his country coming at the start of September 2025. His absence was felt again in the goalless draw with Switzerland, where former Norway goalkeeper Rune Almenning Jarstein pointed to the midfielder’s importance. “Martin has delivered very well,” he said on VGTV .
“He is captain and a leader. What he does on the pitch both with and without the ball is missed. Hope he gets well quickly again, because we need him in the World Cup.
” The 27-year-old has also not completed a full match for Arsenal since the end of 2025. Struggling with his knee, he has missed the last seven games, bringing him to 22 missed matches this season. The broader concern has come from Kjetil Rekdal , manager of Aalesund (currently 11th in the Eliteserien ), who questioned whether the pattern of injuries in Odegaard’s season could reflect the strain of starting senior football so young.
“Naturally it is worrying,” Rekdal said on VGTV. “We must remember that he played senior football when he was 15 years old. I am not saying that it does, but it can mean that the wear and tear is beginning to affect his body.