Martin Odegaard issues new injury update to set record straight on Arsenal fears

Martin Odegaard insists the shoulder issue he sustained last month is now "under control" and scotched any suggestions of a conflict of interest between Arsenal and Norway after he was called up for international duty.

The Gunners captain, 26, was forced off in the 5-0 win over Leeds after hurting his shoulder. He was deemed fit enough to feature the following weekend from the bench in the 1-0 loss away at Liverpool, but news that the influential playmaker would be representing Norway during the international break sparked concerns online.

Odegaard missed a significant part of last season after picking up an ankle injury in the September international break of the 2024-25 campaign. But the former Real Madrid man has played down any lingering fears over his fitness ahead of Arsenal's return to Premier League action this weekend.

“It hurt a lot, but now I got it under control and I feel ready,” Odegaard said about his injury in a Norway press conference. “It was never an issue (any conflict of interest with Norway and Arsenal).

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“I talk a lot with Stale Solbakken (Norway’s manager). The club obviously wanted me for Liverpool, and my only job was to get ready.”

Odegaard started for Norway in their 1-0 win over Finland last week before being withdrawn at half-time, where Stale Solbakken made a raft of changes. Norway host Moldova in a World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday night before the Premier League takes centre stage once again.

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The Norway captain also addressed calls from the Arsenal legend, Tony Adams, for Declan Rice to succeed him as captain after the former defender claimed the England star was someone who was capable of 'actually taking [Arsenal] to the next level'.

“I don’t care that much, to be honest,” Odegaard said. “Everyone can have their opinion and say what they want, and I’m all right with that. I can’t care about what everyone says.

“There’s a lot of negative and positive things to say, but I can’t let it affect me. That’s what I’ve thought throughout my career.”

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