Bukayo Saka responds instantly to Arsenal teammate Martin Odegaard's one-word message
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(Credit: Imago)
Jonathan Burnett
Wed 10 September 2025 13:09, UK
Martin Odegaard will return to Arsenal full of confidence after he led Norway to an 11–1 victory in their latest World Cup qualifier.
Arsenal have been without Odegaard since he was forced off in the first half of their 5-0 win over Leeds United last month, after he was unable to shrug off a shoulder issue and was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.
Mikel Arteta then delivered the blow that Odegaard still wasn’t in training for Arsenal ahead of their clash with Liverpool at Anfield on 31 August, and he was limited to 20 minutes off the bench in their 1-0 loss.
Fellow absentee Bukayo Saka‘s return won’t come until the end of September, but Odegaard is likely to be back in Arteta’s XI to face Nottingham Forest after his Norway side wreaked havoc against Moldova on Tuesday.
Credit: Imago
Norway are looking to qualify for their first major tournament since Euro 2000, and a ten-goal victory saw Odegaard’s side continue their perfect start to 2026 World Cup qualifying with five wins from five so far.
Erling Haaland grabbed the headlines with a five-goal haul as Odegaard also got in on the act in first-half stoppage time, before Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard came off the bench to score four himself in 24 minutes.
Haaland became the first Norwegian to score five in a 21st-century match as Odegaard’s side created a six-point gap at the top of Group I, and the Arsenal skipper posted on Instagram at full-time on Tuesday.
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Saka and fellow Gunners winger Leandro Trossard both liked Odegaard’s post, which he captioned with the one-word verdict of; “Fun”.
Credit: @odegaard.98 on Instagram
Football Insider Verdict
Odegaard is likely to come straight back into the starting XI after proving his fitness over the international break, playing the duration of Norway’s 11-1 demolition of Moldova following 45 minutes against Finland.
Saka’s absence for his country hasn’t been felt during the break, with Noni Madueke proving a nightmare for defenders in England’s wins over Serbia and Andorra to stake his claims as a regular Arsenal starter.
Mikel Merino also netted four goals across two matches for Spain in a further boost for Arteta, who will have a selection headache when it comes to picking his front six when Arsenal host Forest on Saturday.