"Under control": £30m Arsenal star now poised to start vs Nottingham Forest - opinion

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard looks poised to start during Saturday’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.

The Norway international sustained a shoulder injury in the second league game of the season against Leeds United. He was substituted in the opening half.

Odegaard was not deemed fit to start against Liverpool at Anfield as a result. He was a late substitute as the Gunners suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat.

The Gunners skipper has since turned up for World Cup qualifier duty with Norway. He played 45 minutes of the 1-0 win over Finland on the road last week.

In the lead-up to the Moldova game, Odegaard clarified that his shoulder injury was initially painful, but he has got it ‘under control’ and feels ready to play.

He said: “It hurt a lot, but now I got it under control and I feel ready. It was never an issue (any conflict of interest with Norway and Arsenal).

“I talk a lot with Stale Solbakken (Norway’s manager). The club obviously wanted me for Liverpool, and my only job was to get ready.”

It was unsurprising that Odegaard was picked in the XI against Moldova. The £30 million signing had a sensational first-half, providing two assists and a goal.

Norway raced into a comfortable 5-0 scoreline at the break. They eventually won the game by a staggering 11-1 scoreline. Odegaard played the full 90 minutes.

The 26-year-old is now poised to start against Forest when the Gunners return to league action.

Arsenal have an early kick-off on Saturday. They will face a Forest side who have just replaced Nuno Espirito Santo with Ange Postecoglou as their manager.

The Gunners know what to expect from Postecoglou with his attacking tactical mindset, and there should be plenty of goals at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

The post "Under control": £30m Arsenal star now poised to start vs Nottingham Forest - opinion first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.