Martin Odegaard turns down Arsenal option to help inspire Norway to World Cup brink

Martin Odegaard turned down the option of a few days holiday to focus on Arsenal recovery progress and attend Norway international camp to help put nation on the brink of World Cup qualification

Martin Odegaard has now joined up with the Norwegian national side after he turned down the opportunity of a few days’ holiday football.london understands to focus on both returning to full fitness as soon as possible and supporting his teammates in what is setting up to be a historic fortnight.

The Arsenal captain has been absent since he suffered a knee injury against West Ham earlier in the season. Mikel Arteta has been hopeful that several of his absent stars, Odegaard included, would be returning after the international break.

That said, Norway head coach Stale Solbakken appeared to indicate that some time still remains before he can return to playing. "It is steady. It is going in a steady direction, but he is some distance away."

Odegaard has been frustrated by three separate fitness issues this season, twice injuring his shoulder before this latest knee problem. He has, however, continued to work hard off the field to support his teammates.

Speaking at a press conference days after Odegaard’s injury was confirmed, Arteta spoke of the skipper’s responsibilities during this next phase of the season. Making comparisons to parenthood, which of course Odegaard now knows all about having become a father toward the end of 2024.

“He's the captain,” Arteta said. “He needs to drive the standard.

“He needs to be the example. He needs to bring that next to that. So that's it.

“When you don't have an option, you are a dad. You have to look after your kids. You have to be there.

“You are good. You are tired. You don't, you have to be there. That's his responsibility in the team.”

As captain for his country too, this clearly is a mindset Odegaard takes with him into this vital week for Norway. Having decided not to take a few days off, he has instead joined his national team.

Odegaard has been a key player during the run, playing in the first five games before this latest injury. He scored in the win over Moldova, adding two assists in that game, taking his total for the qualifiers to seven.

Their win over Estonia, however, has all but confirmed their first qualification for a World Cup since 1998. Odegaard will therefore captain the side into the competition next year alongside other big-hitters like Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb.

There had been some discussion at the start of the season surrounding the selection of the Arsenal captain. Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams made some comments about the club’s viability to win titles with the Norwegian wearing the armband.

In response, Arteta explained that after a vote in the dressing room, Odegaard had won ‘by a mile’ in the vote, which included plenty of brand new faces after a summer spending spree. It transpired that every single player had picked Odegaard.

"By a mile, by a big, big 100 marks, everybody chose the same person, which is Martin Odegaard, which is the most clear sign that you can have, how they feel about who has to be their captain to defend, improve and win the matches that we want to win. So, I mean, there's no question about that.

"If we're going to talk about leadership and the kind of leaders, we can be here for hours.

"So at the end, what matters the most is how these guys feel about who needs to lead them, how they feel comfortable, who's going to push them, who's going to give them support when it's happening. Basically, who do you want to represent the club and the team when we go out there and face any opposition? That's the key."

Odegaard admitted that by his own standards, the previous campaign was not his best. However, football.london asked Declan Rice ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final about Odegaard’s impact beyond just his on-field performances.

It would be fair to say Rice did not mince his words in response.

“Yeah, he’s incredible, he’s our leader, he’s our captain. He trains every single day, he plays every minute of every single game, he’s one of the best lads I have seen away from the pitch in terms of how he lives his life.

“He’s got the full respect of the dressing room, the way he demands, the way he drives the team, the way he speaks. You wouldn’t see him as that type of character, but he really is behind the scenes.

“He’s been amazing for us, I wouldn’t want anyone else being our captain, and I think the lads, you know, feel the same way about that as well. Obviously, everyone has a dip in form. I’ve had dips in form before as well, but it doesn’t matter because he can deliver on the biggest stage.

Adding: “We’re always with Martin, because he’s one of our best players.”