Odegaard returns to Arsenal despite missing Norway’s Nations League games due to a recent injury.

OSLO (AP)- Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will miss Norway’s forthcoming Nations League matches to continue his recuperation after being out for two months due to an injury.

Odegaard returned from an ankle injury last week, coming off the bench against Inter Milan in the Champions League and playing the entire game in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the English Premier League.

The midfielder joined Norway ahead of matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan and underwent medical tests, the Norwegian Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday.

Odegaard’s body “is not 100%” following a difficult injury, according to the NFF.

“After thorough research and conversations, we have agreed that Martin will not be ready to play for the matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan,” Ola Sand, the team’s doctor, said. “In consultation with him, we have agreed that it is better for him to go home to London to continue his rehabilitation there.”

Odegaard stated that he needs “to listen to my body.”

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal at London’s Stamford Bridge stadium on Sunday, November 10, 2021. (AP Photos/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

“The hope has always been to be able to play the international matches, and if I hadn’t played the league game on Sunday, it would have been out of the question anyway,” says Odegaard. “It’s a very bad feeling to miss these games, I love playing for Norway and with this team.”

Odegaard suffered an ankle injury while on duty for Norway in September and has been greatly missed by Arsenal, which has won only two of its past seven games in all competitions.