Martin Odegaard has explained his injury absence against Brentford, and why he has subsequently been able to start three consecutive games.

Speaking in the pre-north London derby programme notes, Martin Odegaard explained why he missed Arsenal’s recent trip to Brentford.

In the build-up to the Brentford game, Odegaard picked up a knock after a kick in the calf in training. Throughout that week, he had to leave training early on a couple of occasions.

Arsenal were clearly concerned about an injury, so they sent him to get his calf scanned and held him back from the Brentford fixture. But the scans came back all clear and he was able to link up with Norway over the international break.

Playing 71 minutes against Slovenia, 90 minutes against Serbia, and 80 minutes against Spurs, Odegaard seems to have shaken off the problem.

But it was good to be able to bring him off early in the derby, with the result sewn up at that point.

Odegaard will likely get a rest against FK Bodø/Glimt in midweek, with Mikel Arteta able to call on new signing Fabio Vieira to come into the side.

Arteta will want Odegaard back at the weekend, as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool visit the Emirates Stadium.