After 66 days out and 14 games for club and country, Martin Odegaard is back on the pitch. Ahead of FIFA Days in November, the Arsenal captain made his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury in September. The Norwegian midfielder came off the bench against Inter Milan in the Champions League, before playing the full 96 minutes of a Premier League draw with Chelsea.
“No player can return to form immediately like Odegaard after 6 weeks out due to injury. He only had 1 day to train but he has adapted so well, it is amazing” - Mikel Arteta expressed surprise.
Odegaard’s return has been the result of his determination and discipline throughout his rehabilitation. Arsenal’s medical team were pleased with the way he followed instructions, from wearing protective boots to completing his treatment to speeding up his return to the pitch. The 25-year-old has been completely focused on recovering as quickly as possible.
The Gunners captain's performance against Chelsea caught the attention of the Norwegian Football Association. Coach Stale Solbakken initially did not call up Odegaard for the two Nations League matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan. However, he changed his mind and called up the 25-year-old star to assess his fitness.
Despite only being in Oslo for a short time, Odegaard has shown his commitment to the national team. However, following assessments, he has been advised to continue to manage his training load and rest to ensure a full recovery.
Ever since Odegaard's injury, Arsenal have been very cautious in announcing the extent of it. Before the North London Derby with Tottenham, Mikel Arteta hinted at the Norwegian's ability to play, making it difficult for opponents to grasp the information.
In fact, after suffering an injury on international duty, Odegaard has been using crutches and wearing protective footwear. During Arsenal's official photoshoot for the 2024-2025 season, the Emirates team even placed a ball in front of Odegaard's injured ankle to cover up the swelling.
Even when he is not playing, Odegaard is still a presence for the team. He is a regular at the Emirates Stadium for home games, spending time in the dressing room before going into the stands and returning to greet his teammates after the game. This allows the Norwegian star to maintain a close bond with the team and show leadership even when he is not playing.
From his perch in the stands, Odegaard has had the opportunity to observe the game from a new perspective. Once back, he hopes to use those observations to improve his playing style. His Arsenal teammates say Odegaard thinks like a real coach. The 1998-born midfielder’s return could provide an opportunity to apply that knowledge on the pitch.
Martin Odegaard's prolonged absence is a major test for Arsenal, especially as they are without their captain on the pitch for 12 games across three competitions. However, his return marks a significant turning point in their title challenge this season.
Arsenal have been planning carefully, with the aim of having Odegaard ready for a crucial week with three consecutive away games against Newcastle, Inter and Chelsea.
Odegaard now has a much-needed rest to fully recover. The upcoming games will be crucial to whether Arsenal can get their title ambitions back on track. With the club captain back, manager Mikel Arteta can be more confident heading into the crucial stages of the season.
