Martin Odegaard insists that Arsenal had nothing to do with his decision to pull out of international duty.
The playmaker was initially named in Norway’s squad for their upcoming fixtures against Slovenia and Kazakhstan. He even travelled to join up with his international teammates.
The decision to include Odegaard was a surprise given he has only just returned to action for Arsenal following a long stint on the sidelines. But the midfielder will play no part having undergone an assessment on his injury.
In explaining the decision, Odegaard insists that the call was left to him and Norway staff - not with the Gunners. Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2, he said: “I got through the match at the weekend, but it was a rather abrupt transition from the last nine weeks. In this kind of process, you don’t just go from being injured to suddenly being completely healthy.
“You tend to have a reaction to what happens, and then it’s about how you react to it. Together with the NFF’s medical team, we’ve looked at it and agreed that it’s better for me to go back and make a full recovery.
“We have had an open and nice discussion. I have been talking to Ståle ever since I was injured, and of course more intensively in recent weeks. This is not about what Arsenal has said, or what Ståle has said. It’s about what my situation is.
“Yes [it’s my choice], but in consultation with the medical team here [in Norway]. This is something we agree on, but ultimately it is me who has made the choice based on what I know the body needs.”
Odegaard has played two games for Arsenal since returning from his ankle issue. He appeared off the bench during the Gunners’ Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.
The former Real Madrid star then made his first Premier League start in two-and-a-half months against Chelsea. And it was a productive return to the team as he teed up Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal at Stamford Bridge.
Despite not playing a part in Odegaard’s international withdrawal, the Gunners will certainly be thankful of his decision. It now gives the midfielder a couple of weeks to work on his fitness before the Premier League returns after the international break.
Arsenal face a testing game upon their return as they take on Nottingham Forest. Mikel Arteta’s side then clash with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.