Norway boss issues concerning injury update on Martin Odegaard's fitness - as Arsenal captain continues recovery from knee issue

Those connected with Arsenal have been dealt some worrying news with the latest injury update regarding Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard suffered a knee injury during Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham on October 4.

The playmaker suffered medial left knee ligament damage and was expected to miss six weeks.

That timeframe would take him up to this November international break, but Norway manager Stale Solbakken has raised the possibility that it could be a lot longer.

Despite being unfit to play, Odegaard has joined up with his Norway team-mates in non-playing role as they bid to qualify for their first World Cup next summer in what would be 28 years.

And when asked about Odegaard's health, Solbakken hinted it could still be a while before he is back in action.

'It is [Odegaard's progress] steady,' he said on Tuesday ahead of their qualifiers with Estonia and Italy.

'It is going in a steady direction but he is some distance away.'

Odegaard will continue his rehabilitation with Norway's medical staff in Oslo (for Thursday's qualifier with Estonia) and Milan (for Sunday's trip to Italy).

'He will fly in [to Oslo] after his rehab on Thursday,' Solbakken said of the 26-year-old's impending treatment.

'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.'

Despite his absence, Arsenal have been in excellent form without their captain as they sit top of the Premier League and second in the Champions League standings - only on goal scored.