Odegaard sidelined from Norway squad due to ankle injury

Norway's national football team has announced its squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, notably excluding Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard due to a left ankle injury sustained during a match against Austria last month. The injury has kept Odegaard from returning to action, and national team manager Stale Solbakken indicated that the player is 'a long way' from being fit for selection. Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, mentioned that it could take 'a matter of weeks' for Odegaard to recover, although he could not provide a specific timeline. In Odegaard's absence, Arsenal has managed to secure victories against teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, along with draws against Atalanta and Manchester City. The team has upcoming home matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton before the international break, followed by fixtures against Bournemouth, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Liverpool. The impact of Odegaard's absence is significant, as he has been a key player for both his club and the national team. Solbakken acknowledged the importance of Odegaard to the squad, emphasizing that his presence has been crucial in recent matches. With Odegaard sidelined, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will take on the captaincy for Norway. Norway is set to compete against Slovenia and Austria in Nations League B Group 3, and the team will need to adapt to the challenges posed by these matches without their influential midfielder.