Martin Odegaard: Arsenal captain's return from injury ‘earlier than expected’, Norway decision to be made next week

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Martin Odegaard has returned to the Arsenal squad to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - and Mikel Artea is pleased with the rate of his progress. "It’s great to have him back,” Arteta said. “He’s a bit earlier than expected." Norway boss Stale Solbakken has confirmed a decision on his international status will be made after the weekend.

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Mikel Arteta has revealed that Martin Odegaard’s return from injury is “earlier than expected”, while it has also emerged that the midfielder could play a part in Norway’s November international fixtures.

The Arsenal skipper has made the Gunners’ squad for their UEFA Champions League trip to Inter Milan on Wednesday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - after recovering from an ankle injury.

Ahead of the match, Arsenal manager Arteta said it was “great to have him back” but that he is still undecided whether his captain will be involved, especially with a Premier League match against Chelsea just around the corner.

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"The positive news, Martin, it’s great to have him back," the Spaniard said. "He trained with us first time [on Tuesday].

"He’s a bit earlier than expected. But it’s great to have him here, and we will decide if we use him tomorrow."

Odegaard sustained his ankle injury in a nasty-looking incident while on international duty with Norway in September.

It has led to him missing notable Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle United.

That tough run for Arsenal, which also saw a 2-0 defeat away to Bournemouth, has seen them drop 10 points in the title race.

He has been absent for all three of Arsenal’s Champions League games, too, but the Gunners are yet to lose in Europe, with two wins and a draw.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken commented on the situation and said that a decision on a potential international call-up for November will be made next week.

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“We follow the situation day by day,” he said. “As of now, Martin is not 100% ready to play, but we are in daily contact with both him and Arsenal. Then a decision will be made on that after the weekend.

“We are in contact with Arsenal every single day. Both we and Arsenal are interested in him recovering.”

One player who will not be available for Arsenal in Milan is Declan Rice, who has been left in London after picking up a knock in Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle.

"He was able to finish and he wasn’t feeling good the last few days," Arteta revealed.

"We’ll have to assess him on Thursday and see if he’s ready for Chelsea."

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