Norway will be without captain Martin Odegaard for their Nations League matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan as the Arsenal midfielder needs time to get match fit after recovering from an ankle injury,

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will not play for Norway in its upcoming Nations League matches so he can continue his rehabilitation after two months out injured.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is travelling to join up with the Norway squad ahead of their games against Slovenia and Kazakhstan this week. Odegaard made his comeback for Arsenal last week after being sidelined since the start of September, when he injured his ankle playing for Norway.

The midfielder has only just returned from a niggling ankle injury and it has now been deemed too high a risk to use him in the upcoming internationals against Slovenia and Kazakhstan. Solbakken explained: "We knew there was a risk that Martin would not be ready.

Arsenal suffered in the absence of Martin Odegaard during his injury. His return to the field against Chelsea showcased exactly what the Gunners had been missing with his assist for Gabriel Martinelli providing tangible evidence.