Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has confirmed that Arsenal star Martin Odegaard will not feature in the upcoming national team matches. Speaking at a press conference, Solbakken explained that Odegaard’s fitness levels have kept him from being considered for the squad during this international break.
Odegaard Not Ready for Selection
Solbakken made it clear that Odegaard is “far from being in the squad” due to his current condition. The midfielder, who has been an influential figure for Arsenal, was not deemed fit enough to join the Norwegian national team for their matches.
> “Far. He is far from being in the squad,” Solbakken said when asked about Odegaard’s chances of playing. “We will see how far he gets during this national team break.”
Odegaard’s Absence Was Expected
Solbakken also revealed that Odegaard’s unavailability was known for some time, hinting that his absence had been planned in advance:
> “I have known for quite some time that he was not relevant for this gathering.”
With Odegaard ruled out, Solbakken will need to rely on other key players to step up as Norway aims to perform well during the international break.
Martin Odegaard’s absence from Norway’s squad is a significant blow, but manager Ståle Solbakken was prepared for this scenario. Odegaard’s fitness will be closely monitored, and it remains to be seen whether he will recover in time for future international duties. For now, Norway will have to push on without their captain as they focus on the upcoming fixtures.