Arsenal Gains Boost Despite Martin Odegaard’s Training Absence Due to Injury

Arsenal gained a welcome boost despite their captain missing a training session after suffering a knee knock against Sporting CP. Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has played down the problem. The midfielder was withdrawn during the match and did not take part in Thursday’s session.

Details of the incident

Martin Odegaard left the Sporting clash early and was replaced by Kai Havertz. Medical staff attended to him on the pitch. He appeared to walk off without major difficulty.

The 27-year-old had recently returned to action. He came back after more than a month out and started the game following a substitute appearance in the FA Cup defeat to Southampton.

International and managerial reactions

Odegaard missed Norway’s fixtures against the Netherlands and Switzerland ahead of the World Cup. He had been sidelined since the north London derby with Tottenham in February.

Speaking at Ullevaal Stadium, Solbakken stressed he did not view the latest knock as serious. He warned, however, that the player must avoid further setbacks.

Former Norway defender Jesper Mathisen reacted strongly on TV2. He described the scenes as alarming and said the images looked like a nightmare.

Team news and fitness updates

Arsenal will host Bournemouth at the Emirates as they seek to follow up their Sporting victory. Training on Thursday offered mixed news for Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Eberechi Eze returned to full training. The summer signing has been sidelined by a calf problem. That injury kept him out of the Carabao Cup final and England friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

Eze was pictured at London Colney and may be fit for selection soon. Riccardo Calafiori, who started alongside Odegaard against Sporting, missed the session.

Outlook

Medical staff will continue to monitor Odegaard’s knee. The club and Norway remain cautious but optimistic. Arsenal gains a boost despite Martin Odegaard’s training absence as other players return to contention.

• Injured player: Martin Odegaard (knee knock).
• Substitute: Kai Havertz came on vs Sporting CP.
• Manager comment: Ståle Solbakken minimised concern at Ullevaal Stadium.
• Returning to training: Eberechi Eze, recovering from calf injury.
• Absent at training: Riccardo Calafiori.