Arsenal fans were not best pleased to see Norway’s head coach wrestling Martin Odegaard ahead of a crucial fortnight of action for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Odegaard provided a hat-trick of assists in Norway’s second match of the international break to help his side ease to a 4-2 win over Israel.
The result backs up their 5-0 win over Moldova in their opening match of the qualifying campaign as Norway bid to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
With his result sewn up against Israel, Odegaard was withdrawn in the closing stages by head coach Ståle Solbakken.
However, as the midfielder made his way to the bench after an embrace with his coach, Odegaard was almost caught off guard as Solbakken comically tried to wrestle him to the ground.
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And while the Arsenal skipper managed to stay on his feet and walked off smiling, many Gunners fans did not appreciate Solbakken’s antics.
‘GET TF OF MY CAPTAIN MAN WE CAN’T AFFORD ANY MORE INJURIES,’one fan joked on social media.
‘Arteta won’t like this,’ another wrote.
‘I’d be flying to Norway to chin him if he injured him,’ a third Arsenal fan wrote
‘This man must be a Madrid fans… he wants our captain injured,’ another theorised.’
Despite the unusual scenes towards the closing stages of the match, it was Odegaard’s performance on the pitch that had many of his Norwegian teammates full of praise at full-time.
‘He is one of the world’s best footballers,’ Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup told VG.
‘The way he moves and plays football, you just have to enjoy it.’
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth, who finished off Norway’s second goal after an assist from Odegaard, added: ‘He is fantastic. Three assists speak for themselves and he is fantastic to play with on the right side.’
Back in north London, Odegaard and Arsenal face a season-defining few weeks as they gear up for their Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
In fact, it will be the first time that the two sides have met in a competitive fixture since their last-16 clash in the Champions League back in March 2006.
Discussing the tie further in one of Arsenal’s recent matchday programmes, the 26-year-old said: ‘Of course, these will be two very important matches against Real Madrid, and for me personally, it will be special to play against my former team.
‘We believe in ourselves and we know what we can do. Our performances in the Champions League have been very good, winning seven of our ten matches so far.
‘We’re looking forward to the first leg here at the Emirates Stadium next month. It will be a great evening.’
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