Martin Odegaard has struggled with both form and injuries this season (Picture: Getty)
Norway manager Stale Solbakken admits he is ‘worried’ over Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard missed the Gunners’ defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday after it was revealed he has been nursing a hip injury.
Prior to that, he was among the subs as Arsenal were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by West Ham and the 24-year-old was also an unused sub in the recent 5-0 victory over Sheffield United.
Odegaard, a key player in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge last term, has largely struggled with form this season and before his injury problems, he attracted criticism from a number of pundits and former players.
Despite concerns over his fitness and performances, Solbakken named Odegaard in his Norway squad on Tuesday ahead of matches against the Faroe Islands and Scotland.
It is unclear if Odegaard will feature in those games with Norway boss Solbakken ‘worried’ about his player.
‘We are worried about Martin,’ Solbakken said. ‘He is very doubtful [to play against the Faroe Islands and Scotland].’
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Odegaard has produced five goals and one assist across 15 matches for Arsenal so far this season.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was quizzed about Odegaard’s fitness on Tuesday and said: ‘Martin [is] uncertain [to face Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday].’
‘Martin loves to play for his country and every time he was called up and he was fit and he will be there if that’s the case.’
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‘He is very doubtful.’
