Odegaard explains why he won't play for Norway in November

Good news for Mikel Arteta. Martin Odegaard, who has just returned from an ankle injury, will not play for Norway in the November Nations League matches, meaning he will stay at the Emirates Stadium during the international break.

The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes of the Gunners' 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend but is still working his way back to fitness.

"After discussions with the medical staff at the national team, we have unfortunately concluded that the situation is not good enough to play these games," Odegaard told The Athletic.

"I’ve been through a long training period and when you haven’t practised football in the last nine weeks, it’s natural not to be 100 per cent yet. I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape," he added.

These statements make it clear that neither Arsenal nor Norway want to jeopardise Odegaard's health and recovery process and prefer that he reaches his peak form to come back stronger than ever.