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Football London
Football London
Sport
Lee Wilmot

Martin Odegaard starts for Norway in Nations League as Arsenal handed North London Derby boost

Martin Odegaard looks set to return to action for Arsenal when the international break ends. That is providing he comes through action with Norway unscathed of course.

The Arsenal captain picked up a calf injury during a training session at London Colney and subsequently missed the game against Brentford last weekend. The Gunners did not miss him, running out 3-0 winners on the day to move back to the top of the Premier League table.

And Odegaard looks set to return to the starting lineup when Arsenal face fierce rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby when the Premier League returns on Saturday, October 1.

READ MORE: Arsenal scouts watch 'next Luka Modric' as Edu targets £44m transfer amid Mikel Arteta demand

That is because he has clearly already recovered from the injury that kept him out against Brentford. The Arsenal skipper was named in the Norway squad for their Nations League matches during this international break, even though manager Stale Solbakken was not sure if he could use him or not.

As quoted by TV2, Solbakken said: "We are in regular dialogue with him and Arteta and Arsenal’s health sector, as it is called in Danish. Nothing has been decided there, so there is still hope. They are the ones who have had ‘hands on him’ up until now, and they are in dialogue. He’s not doing well now. Now it’s a matter of getting a final decision on whether he can be in both or one game. We’ll certainly see him in Norway, either as a player or a ‘fourth coach’. It means a lot to have him."

Solbakken has seen enough though, with Odegaard named in the starting lineup for Norway's clash away in Slovenia on Saturday. Providing he does not pick up another injury, Odegaard will be available for Arsenal's crunch North London Derby clash with Tottenham Hotspur when the Premier League returns on October 1.

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