Martin Odegaard Avoids Major Ankle Injury After Norway Scans
Martin Odegaard has avoided a major ankle injury, according to scans carried out by Norway’s medical staff. Team doctor Ola Sand completed the Martin Odegaard injury scan on Tuesday. It found no serious damage to the Arsenal captain’s ankle.
Odegaard did not train with the Norway squad on Tuesday. He was one of two key absentees as the national team prepared for Thursday’s Nations League match against Wales in Cardiff. Despite the missed session, he remains in contention to feature.
Norway great Brede Hangeland gave an update on the scan results.
Ola Sand has that under control. As far as I understood, there was nothing dramatic in those [X-ray] images. The most important thing is that the guy is feeling better. The images show a snapshot, while he’s still recovering. And the progress is positive.
Norway Medical Team and Solbakken Confirm Arsenal Dialogue
Norway manager Stale Solbakken confirmed there has been frequent contact between the national team’s medical staff and Arsenal’s own doctors during the international break. That dialogue has kept Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff informed on Odegaard’s recovery, even while he trains away from Emirates Stadium.
The regular exchange between the two medical teams reflects how closely clubs and countries now track a player’s condition during international windows. It also explains why Arsenal have not needed to intervene directly, despite the concern over their captain.
The scan findings and Hangeland’s comments were first reported in the football.london injury report, which has followed Odegaard’s fitness closely since he joined up with Norway.
Havertz Hamstring Blow Heightens Focus on Odegaard Fitness
The update on Odegaard arrives at an awkward time for Arsenal, who have also lost Kai Havertz to a hamstring injury during the international break. Havertz’s setback leaves Arteta short of attacking options. It adds extra weight to any doubts over his captain’s fitness too.
With two key players affected, Arsenal’s medical staff face a busy week managing recovery plans before domestic football resumes. Supporters have already seen how absences shaped the club’s recent Premier League match selection decisions and the earlier Carabao Cup lineups. Further changes could follow once players report back from international duty.
Wales Clashes Await as Timeline Remains Open Ahead of Cardiff
Norway face Wales in Cardiff on Thursday in a Nations League fixture. Odegaard’s involvement is still undecided. He missed Tuesday’s training, which leaves his selection uncertain, even though the scan has eased fears of a lengthy spell out.
Hangeland stressed there is still time for Odegaard to prove his fitness before kick-off.
Martin was in the breakfast room, he was happy and he had less pain in his ankle than yesterday. It is a long time until the next match. It is a full two and a half days. A lot can happen in that time.
Arsenal will monitor developments from London. No fixed date has been set for when Odegaard might return to full training at the club. The Martin Odegaard injury scan news at least removes the worst case scenario, even if his short term involvement remains unclear.
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