Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard set to play for Norway after Rodri controversy
Posted by  badge Boss on Mar 29, 2023 - 01:26AM
Martin Odegaard was an injury about for Norway following last weekend’s game against Spain (Picture: Getty)

is expected to feature for Norway against Georgia this evening, despite being on the receiving end of Rodri’s controversial tackle during a defeat against Spain on Saturday.

Norway began their qualifying campaign without the services of and crashed to a heavy 3-0 defeat.

Odegaard, however, was left ruing the referee’s decision not to award a penalty shortly before Dani Olmo’s opening goal when he was scythed down by the midfielder and was left clutching his left ankle.

Odegaard – who completed the full 90 minutes and did not appear to suffer any kind of injury – looked flabbergasted with the decision on the pitch and .

‘I’m pretty sure I should have had a penalty,’ Odegaard told TV2 after the match. ‘He’s coming with his studs right on my ankle.

Martin Odeegard was furious with Manchester City’s Rodri (Picture: TV2)

‘But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say anymore]. I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything.’

Manager Stale Solbakken was rather less diplomatic than his skipper, saying: ‘It is a clear penalty!

‘He finishes the shot and you can’t [foul him after]. If I knock someone down after the ball is gone, then it’s a penalty. I get a little bored of this.

‘What I see here now [on the replay] is exactly what I saw from the bench. There was a bit of French arrogance going on. That’s the way it is, but it’s unbelievable.’

Norway are back in action this evening, just four days prior to the Premier League resumption and Arsenal’s must-win game against Leeds United.

Mikel Arteta will no doubt be holding his breath, hoping his skipper comes through unscathed given he is likely to feature according to former Norway international turned pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft.

He said: ‘Martin is fit for tonight as Norway play Georgia. Remember there was a worry both for Norway- and Arsenal fans when Rodri fouled him Saturday.’

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