Arsenal captain Odegaard ‘some distance away’ from return

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is “some distance away” from returning to action, according to Norway coach Stale Solbakken.

Odegaard has not played since suffering knee ligament damage in Arsenal’s win over West Ham on October 4.

It is hoped he will be able to return for the North London derby on November 23, but Solbakken’s words on Odegaard’s recovery have cast doubt on that possibility.

Arsenal skipper making steady progress

Odegaard has joined up with Norway in a non-playing capacity as they seek to clinch a place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

“It is steady,” Solbakken said when asked about Odegaard’s recovery. “It is going in a steady direction but he is some distance away.”

Odegaard will continue his rehabilitation with Norway, who will qualify for the World Cup if they beat Estonia on Thursday, before they travel to face Italy in their final qualifier on Sunday.

“He will fly in [to Oslo] after his rehab on Thursday,” Solbakken added. “Then he will continue his rehab with us and will be with us from Thursday afternoon. I don’t know when the flight leaves. But he will be with us until Milan.”