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.

Having only just made his return from a two-month injury lay-off, Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard has withdrawn from Norway's squad.

"I need to listen to my body, complete this rehab process and get my foot back in good shape. "The hope has always been to be able to play the national matches and if I hadn't played on Sunday, it would have been out of the question to participate anyway.

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.

Martin Odegaard’s decision to withdraw from international duty with Norway is a significant boost for Arsenal, especially as he works toward regaining his full fitness.