Norway’s national team manager Ståle Solbakken has offered praise for Martin Ødegaard.
In a recent interview, Solbakken seemed to attribute some of Ødegaard’s rapid professional and personal development to his own coaching, although the midfielder has been largely shaped by his experience at Arsenal, and this could be a problem with translation.
Norway’s national team manager Ståle Solbakken has praised the development of Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard, seemingly attributing part of his progress to his own influence since taking over as coach in December 2020.
“During the time I’ve been coaching [him], he has only gotten better and better and better. He’s become a better and better captain. He’s become a better and better player. He is more and more central – both for our team and Arsenal,” Solbakken said in an interview with Dagbladet.
The Norway manager watched Arsenal’s most recent victory over Manchester City from Cyprus, where the Norwegian team will gather for the international break.
Ødegaard has delivered impressive stats this season, with four goals and an assist in 12 matches, building on last season where he managed 15 goals and eight assists in 45 games.
Solbakken’s praise for Ødegaard extends beyond the player’s professional life.
When asked by Dagbladet if Ødegaard, who recently confirmed his relationship with Norwegian TV personality Helene Spilling, is in a ‘good place’ in his personal life, Solbakken responded: “I don’t think there’s been much fuss. He’s very calm and balanced. I haven’t talked to him much about it. But I don’t have the impression that there has been any fuss.”
The Norway manager’s comments come ahead of the European qualifiers where Norway will face Cyprus and Spain.
Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland, who were opponents in the recent Arsenal-Manchester City match, will be teammates representing Norway in these games. Solbakken expressed his satisfaction at having both players available for selection, adding more depth to a squad aiming for success on the international stage.