Odegaard delivered an impressive performance, registering three assists in Norway’s second international break match, which ended in a comfortable 4-2 victory over Israel. ..Continue Reading
This win followed their commanding 5-0 triumph over Moldova in the opening game of the World Cup qualifying campaign, as Norway aims to secure a spot in the tournament for the first time since 1998.
With the game against Israel secured, head coach Ståle Solbakken substituted Odegaard in the final minutes.
As the Arsenal captain approached the bench after sharing a brief hug with his coach, Solbakken humorously attempted to wrestle him to the ground, almost catching him off guard.
Despite maintaining his balance and leaving the scene with a smile, Odegaard’s playful exchange didn’t sit well with some Arsenal fans, who were concerned about their captain’s well-being ahead of a pivotal stretch of fixtures.
‘GET TF OF MY CAPTAIN MAN WE CAN’T AFFORD ANY MORE INJURIES,’one fan joked on social media.
‘Arteta won’t like this,’ another wrote. ‘I’d be flying to Norway to chin him if he injured him,’ a third Arsenal fan wrote
‘This man must be a Madrid fans… he wants our captain injured,’ another theorised.’
Despite the unusual scenes towards the closing stages of the game, it was Odegaard’s display on the pitch that had many of his Norwegian teammates full of praise at full-time.
‘He is one of the world’s best footballers,’ Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup told VG.
‘The way he moves and plays football, you just have to enjoy it.’
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid star Alexander Sorloth, who finished off Norway’s second goal after an assist from Odegaard, added: ‘He is fantastic. Three assists speak for themselves and he is fantastic to play with on the right side.’
In north London, Martin Odegaard and Arsenal are preparing for a crucial stretch of the season as they look ahead to their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
Interestingly, this will mark the first competitive encounter between the two clubs since their round-of-16 meeting in the Champions League in March 2006.
Discussing the tie further in one of Arsenal’s recent matchday programmes, the 26-year-old said: ‘Of course, these will be two very important matches against Real Madrid, and for me personally, it will be special to play against my former team.
‘We believe in ourselves and we know what we can do. Our performances in the Champions League have been very good, winning seven of our ten matches so far.
‘We’re looking forward to the first leg here at the Emirates Stadium next month. It will be a great evening.’
