Sport

Nations League: Injury forces Odegaard to withdraw from Norway squad

Norway and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has emphasized the importance of “listening to his body” after deciding to withdraw from Norway’s squad for this week’s Nations League matches.

The midfielder sustained ankle ligament damage during September’s international break, sidelining him for seven weeks. He made his comeback during Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter Milan last week, followed by a full 90-minute appearance in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea.

Originally omitted from Norway’s squad for the upcoming games against Slovenia on 14 November and Kazakhstan on 17 November, Odegaard traveled to Oslo to undergo a medical assessment before the final decision was made.

“After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately come to the conclusion that the situation is not good enough to play these games,” Odegaard said.

“I’ve been through a long training period and when you haven’t practiced football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100% yet. I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape.”

Odegaard was sidelined for 12 Arsenal games after suffering an injury in September.

So far this season, he has featured in five matches across all competitions for the Gunners.

Norway currently leads their Nations League group, holding seven points from four matches.

With 61 caps for his country, Odegaard was appointed Norway’s national team captain in 2021.

Idoko Dennis

Idoko Dennis is a creative videographer/drone pilot and sport writer. He heads the sport desk and deputizes the head of Idoma TV

Recent Posts

Probe panel: Ortom defeats Benue state govt at appeal court

The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, on Thursday set aside the ruling of the Benue…

4 hours ago

Police take action over murder of lawyer Mark Ofikwu in Otukpo

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the tragic killing of prominent Otukpo-based lawyer and…

5 hours ago

BREAKING: Reps reject bill proposing six-year single tenure for president, governors

A bill proposing a six-year single term for the office of the president and state…

7 hours ago

BREAKING: Senate approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77 Trillion loan request to address 2024 Budget deficit

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2b) loan request following a voice…

8 hours ago

Finland arrests Simon Ekpa, four others over terrorism financing

Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in Finland for involvement…

8 hours ago

BREAKING: Biafra: Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four other persons have been arrested in Finland over…

8 hours ago