{"id":4293,"date":"2026-04-10T06:18:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:18:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=4293"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:18:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:18:11","slug":"martin-odegaard-injury-latest-as-arsenal-boost-emerges-despite-training-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=4293","title":{"rendered":"Martin Odegaard injury latest as Arsenal boost emerges despite training absence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_09e96c\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Martin Odegaard suffered a knee problem against Sporting CP and missed Arsenal training on Thursday, but Norway boss Stale Solbakken does not believe the injury is serious. Arsenal received a major boost with Eberechi Eze returning to training ahead of the Bournemouth clash.<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36991253\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Martin Odegaard of Arsenal is spoken to by teammate Gabriel during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 07, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991253.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270273758.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991253.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2270273758.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991253.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2270273758.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991253.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270273758.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Martin Odegaard appeared to suffer a knock during Arsenal's clash against Sporting CP\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Martin Odegaard appeared to suffer a knock during Arsenal&#8217;s clash against Sporting CP<cite aria-label=\"Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Norway manager Stale Solbakken has played down concerns over Martin Odegaard&#8217;s latest injury setback. Arsenal suffered another blow when their captain was substituted during the match against Sporting CP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Odegaard required medical attention after experiencing knee discomfort and was subsequently withdrawn in favour of Kai Havertz. He seemed to walk off the pitch without difficulty, though the Gunners&#8217; talisman was absent from Thursday&#8217;s training session.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 27-year-old had only just returned at the weekend following more than a month on the sidelines. He featured in the FA Cup loss to Southampton before being named in the starting XI against Sporting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Odegaard was unavailable for Norway&#8217;s fixtures against the Netherlands and Switzerland in the build-up to this summer&#8217;s World Cup. The ex-Real Sociedad startlet had been sidelined since Arsenal&#8217;s north London derby encounter with Tottenham in February.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Solbakken has sought to ease worries surrounding any problem Odegaard may have picked up. Speaking at a press conference at Ullevaal Stadium, he doesn&#8217;t believe it&#8217;s a serious concern.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal star makes unexpected return to training in big title race boost<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal star says they are back on track but admits: &#8216;I\u2019m still really disappointed and sad&#8217;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;He got a little one (bang) where he shouldn&#8217;t have gotten it, but I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s pitch black,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We don&#8217;t need any more setbacks now,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former Norway defender Jesper Mathisen had previously expressed alarm on TV2. &#8220;Those are scary images,&#8221; he said after Odegaard went down.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Like watching a horror movie. A nightmare. He&#8217;s not sitting down for no reason. It would have been a big loss for both Arsenal and Norway if he had to go out with an injury again.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36991254\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36991254\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"LISBON, PORTUGAL - APRIL 07: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 07, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991254.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991254.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991254.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36991254.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Odegaard looked to have a knee issue\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Odegaard looked to have a knee issue<cite aria-label=\"Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootballarsenal#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal will be looking to build on their victory over Sporting when they host Bournemouth at the Emirates. The north London club received a welcome injury boost after Eberechi Eze returned to training ahead of the Premier League fixture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The summer signing made his comeback from a calf injury that ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final and England&#8217;s international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. He was spotted at London Colney on Thursday and appears to be in the frame for a return to action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Riccardo Calafiori, who started alongside Odegaard against Sporting, was notably absent from the session, however.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33404045.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside <!-- -->Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Martin Odegaard suffered a knee problem against Sporting CP and missed Arsenal training on Thursday, but Norway boss Stale Solbakken does not believe the injury is serious. Arsenal received a major boost with Eberechi Eze returning to training ahead of the Bournemouth clash. Martin Odegaard appeared to suffer a knock during Arsenal&#8217;s clash against Sporting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}