‘Grumpy’ Arsenal star’s return from injury ‘within’ reach

Martin Overmars, Norway national team manager Stale Solbakken, has confirmed that the Arsenal captain could be back in contention for the Gunners’ FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton on 4 April after three weeks of rehabilitation from a knee problem.

The 27-year-old midfielder has not featured for club or country since sustaining the injury in the 1-1 draw with Brentford on 12 February, and he has been left off Norway’s roster for this month’s friendlies with Netherlands and Switzerland.

“He has been very frustrated and gr—umpy,” Solbakken said from the national camp. “He has not been involved since we beat Moldova 11-1 in September. It is clear that it hurts.”

Solbakken added that the return schedule is now in place: “Now it is three weeks until Arsenal play again. Or two and a half weeks. I think it could be a goal for Martin to be in a squad then. It is within reach.”

While Odegaard is expected to remain in London to continue his recovery, Solbakken noted that he is welcome to visit Norway’s camp on a day off, though no such visit has been arranged.

The setback has limited the Arsenal skipper to 13 Premier League starts this season, and Solbakken acknowledged the frustration the prolonged layoff has caused.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze is facing more than a month on the sidelines after sustaining a calf injury in last week’s loss to Bayer Levercup.