Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard has been left out of the Norway squad for their Nations League fixtures later this month.
Odegaard sustained a left ankle injury during Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria last month and has not returned to action.
In a press release announcing the squad, national team manager Stale Solbakken said the 25-year-old was “a long way” from being considered for selection.
Speaking last Tuesday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it would likely be “a matter of weeks” before his captain was able to return.
“No (new time frame), but I think it will be a matter of weeks,” he said. “How long exactly, I cannot tell you. We might get a surprise (before the international break) but I think it’s unlikely.”
GO DEEPER
How Jurrien Timber fought his way back – and why his return has changed Arsenal
In Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal have beaten Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers and Leicester City, securing draws against Atalanta and Manchester City. They have home games against Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton before the international break, with matches against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool following it.
Norway will play Slovenia and Austria in Nations League B Group 3 before domestic football returns.
“The fact that both Oscar (Bobb) and Martin are out at the same time — it would be naive to say that it doesn’t have an impact,” Solbakken said. “Martin is very important to the group and he has been among the best in every single match in recent years.”
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will captain Norway with Odegaard unavailable.
GO DEEPER
Champions League projections 2024-25: Each team’s probability of qualifying for knockouts
Norway squad in full
Goalkeepers: Mathias Dyngeland (Brann), Orjan Nyland (Sevilla), Egil Selvik (FK Haugesund)
Defenders: Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), Torbjorn Heggem (West Brom), Sondre Langas (Viking FK), Andreas Hanche-Olsen (Mainz), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Sassuolo), Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), David Moller Wolfe (Alkmaar) Leo Ostigard (Rennes)
Midfielders: Patrick Berg (Bodo/Glimt), Sander Berge (Fulham), Aron Donnum (Toulouse), Jens Petter Hauge (Bodo/Glimt), Felix Horn Myhre (Brann), Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig), Morten Thorsby (Genoa), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo), Hugo Vetlesen (Club Bruges)
Forward: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Wolves), Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid)
(Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
