Martin Ødegaard injury concerns are beginning to raise fresh questions around Arsenal’s handling of the midfielder’s fitness, with criticism emerging in Norway over a lack of clarity on his current condition.
The Arsenal captain has endured a disrupted 2025/26 campaign, missing significant time through injury and struggling to build consistent rhythm. After returning briefly earlier this month, he suffered another setback during the Champions League clash with Sporting, adding to concerns around his availability.
Martin Ødegaard injury situation draws criticism in Norway
Despite the latest issue, Arsenal have yet to provide a detailed update on Ødegaard’s recovery timeline. That silence has not gone unnoticed in his home country.
According to Dagbladet, former Norway international Steffen Iversen believes clubs do not always disclose the full extent of injury problems, particularly with recurring issues.
“We on the outside don’t get to know everything. They always keep something secret. It could be things that aren’t good.” — Steffen Iversen, per Dagbladet
His comments reflect a broader concern that repeated setbacks may point to underlying issues, even if official messaging remains cautious.
Repeated setbacks disrupt Ødegaard’s season
Ødegaard has played 29 matches this season, totalling 1,536 minutes, but his campaign has been heavily interrupted by injuries.
He was forced off during Arsenal’s north London derby win in February, missing the following international break before returning on 4 April 2026 in the FA Cup defeat to Southampton. He then started against Sporting in Europe, where he encountered another problem.
| Stat (2025/26) | Martin Ødegaard |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 29 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Minutes Played | 1,536 |
source: sofascore match data – 13 April 2026
From the last few Arsenal matches we’ve covered, his absence has had a noticeable impact on creativity and control in midfield, particularly in high-pressure fixtures.
Norway manager offers cautious optimism
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken has attempted to downplay the severity of the latest setback, suggesting it is not a long-term issue.
“He got a little one where he shouldn’t have, but I don’t think it’s anything serious. He’ll be on the field in the near future.” — Ståle Solbakken
However, the pattern of recurring injuries has created uncertainty around how quickly Ødegaard can return to full match fitness.
Having followed Arsenal closely this season, his availability has often coincided with improved attacking cohesion, making his absence particularly significant during key moments. However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about the longer-term impact of these setbacks.
What this means for Arsenal and Norway
Ødegaard has already missed more than 120 days and over 20 matches this season, underlining the scale of the disruption.
For Arsenal, this comes at a critical stage of the campaign, where consistency in midfield leadership is essential. For Norway, the concern extends further, with limited game time potentially affecting his readiness for upcoming international competitions.
Key Insights
- Martin Ødegaard has suffered multiple injury setbacks this season
- Arsenal have not provided a detailed return timeline
- Norwegian figures have questioned the lack of transparency
- The midfielder has missed over 120 days of action
- Both Arsenal and Norway are monitoring his fitness closely
What’s next for Martin Ødegaard?
Ødegaard is expected to undergo further assessment in the coming weeks, with Arsenal likely to manage his return carefully to avoid another setback.
If Solbakken’s comments prove accurate, he could feature again before the end of the season. However, his minutes may be controlled, particularly in high-intensity matches.
Any decision on his involvement will likely balance short-term needs with long-term fitness, especially given the recurrence of similar issues.
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