Martin Odegaard injury return ‘going to plan’ ahead of three huge Arsenal games

Martin Odegaard’s return from injury is ‘going to plan’, according to Norway’s manager, with Arsenal hoping to have him back for games against Newcastle United, Inter Milan and Chelsea.

The Arsenal captain is currently ruled out with an ankle problem, which he suffered on international duty with Norway in September.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suggested Odegaard will return before the next international break, which runs from November 10 to November 18.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken has now provided a new update and told VG: ‘Everything indicates that things are going according to plan [for Odegaard to play for his country in November].

‘So it’s about the last steps when you have to train with opponents and in team training. It depends on how he responds to that, but we have a legitimate hope that he is ready.’

The Gunners face three huge games in the space of just eight days before the next round of internationals.

Arsenal travel to Newcastle on November 2, take on Inter in the Champions League on November 6 and then have a trip to Chelsea on November 10.

Before that crucial run, Arsenal host Premier League title rivals Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday, which is game that’ll come too soon for Odegaard.

Arsenal are looking to get back to winning ways in the top-flight after a costly 2-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth in which William Saliba was shown a red card.

Odegaard has described the decision to send off Sailba as ‘strange’ as he told the Arsenal website: ‘My first feeling was that a yellow card would be enough, and it was the same for the referee [initially].

‘He had a clear view on it, so I thought it was strange that VAR should then change his decision. It’s done now though, so we have to move on and look at the next game.’

Speaking about his injury, Odegaard added: ‘I’ve been working very hard on my recovery in the past few weeks, and missing out on big Champions League nights like [against Shakhtar Donetsk] just makes me more determined and motivated to get back as soon as possible.

‘I’m feeling better and better each day, but when it’s an ankle injury you have ups and downs as well. Some days you feel really good, and then sometimes you can have a little reaction. But in general it’s getting better and I feel like I’m getting closer now.

‘I’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym, and was on an anti-gravity treadmill recently, which is really good because it takes the weight off. Especially at the beginning that was really good, to be running again like that when you’ve been offloading the leg and not using it as much as normal.

‘That was a good feeling, helping me get back to moving in a normal way, and being able to run after not being able to do that.’