Norway manager Stale Solbakken has insisted Martin Odegaard’s knee injury is “nothing serious” despite the Arsenal captain missing the club’s last two matches.
The Gunners playmaker has been sidelined with a recurring issue originally sustained during a 1-1 draw against Brentford last month.
Although Odegaard returned briefly for the north London derby against Tottenham, he was subsequently absent for crucial Premier League victories over Chelsea and Brighton.
However, Solbakken has moved to allay fears regarding the midfielder’s long-term fitness.
Focus on summer recovery
Speaking to Scandinavian broadcaster Viaplay, the national team boss suggested the enforced rest could ultimately benefit the player.
“There is nothing serious about Martin. The most important thing is that he recovers completely and is good for us in the summer.”
Stale Solbakken, Norway Manager
With Norway preparing for the World Cup in North America, Solbakken is prioritizing his captain’s condition for the tournament.
“For those of us who care about the World Cup, it’s not a disaster that he’s getting some breaks now,” Solbakken added.
“He’s going to rebuild and be crucial for Arsenal in April-May and maybe late March.”
A fragmented campaign
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had remained coy regarding the 27-year-old’s status prior to the win at the Amex Stadium.
When quizzed on a potential return date for his skipper, the Spaniard simply remarked “we’ll see”.
It has been an injury-hit season for the Premier League leaders’ creative hub, despite him tallying 20 top-flight appearances so far.
Earlier in the campaign, shoulder issues forced him off during victories over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
He also suffered an MCL knee injury against West Ham in October, which sidelined him until a Champions League return against Bayern Munich in late November.
International ambitions
The north London club remain optimistic that Odegaard will play a key role in their pursuit of silverware across four competitions.
Simultaneously, Norway are relying on their leader to be fit for the summer finals.
Odegaard missed his nation’s final three qualifiers but travelled to support the squad as they defeated Italy to book their place at the tournament.
Norway are set to face France and Senegal in the group stages later this year.
England and Scotland’s World Cup group stage matches in the United States face scheduling uncertainty following a row over unpaid security costs at the host venue in Massachusetts.
Local officials in Foxborough have threatened to withhold the necessary entertainment licence for the Gillette Stadium unless a £6m ($8m) funding shortfall is resolved.
The venue, located outside Boston, is scheduled to host seven matches during the 2026 tournament.
This includes Thomas Tuchel’s England side facing Ghana on 23 June.
The Tartan Army are also due to visit Foxborough twice to play Haiti on 13 June and Morocco on 19 June.
Foxborough issues licence ultimatum
The dispute centres on security funding owed to the town to police the high-profile event.
Foxborough Select Board Chair Bill Yukna has insisted the issue must be resolved by a strict deadline of 17 March.
Without the funds or a concrete agreement, the town claims it will not grant the licence required to host the fixtures.
“It’s not acceptable for us,” Yukna said.
“The balance of it will be due just before the 17th meeting for us to be able to successfully say we can accomplish the goals that the public safety plan calls for.”
While the stadium is only hosting matches on seven specific days, Fifa regulations require the venue to be available for the entire 39-day duration of the tournament.
Delays in federal funding
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has moved to reassure fans that the matches will go ahead as planned.
She attributed the current standoff to delays in receiving funds from the US federal government.
“The World Cup is going to happen – it is going to be in Massachusetts,” said Healey.
“It’d be a lot easier if the federal government provided the funding that they were supposed to provide. That hasn’t happened yet.”
Many of the 11 US host cities are reportedly still awaiting their share of a $625m (£468m) federal security budget.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) was expected to allocate these funds by the end of January.
Mike Loynd, president of the Boston Fifa World Cup 2026 host committee, stated that organisers are willing to cover public safety costs but are disputing the demand for upfront payment.
If the licence is refused, it remains unclear where the affected Group D and Group F fixtures would be relocated.
Chelsea forward Pedro Neto has been charged by the Football Association following his reaction to being sent off in Sunday’s defeat by Arsenal.
The winger is alleged to have acted in an improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly after his dismissal in the 70th minute.
It is also alleged that Neto used abusive words towards match officials during the Premier League fixture.
He has until Monday, 9 March to provide a response to the charges.
Dismissal deepens disciplinary woes
Neto was shown a red card in the London derby after receiving two cautions in quick succession.
The first yellow card was issued for dissent following Jurrien Timber’s winning goal for the Gunners.
Just four minutes later, the attacker was dismissed for a foul on Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
Neto appeared visibly frustrated as he left the field, engaging with officials on the touchline before eventually entering the tunnel.
Manager demands accountability
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has called on his squad to improve their conduct following the latest setback.
The Blues boss admitted the club’s disciplinary record this season has become a significant concern.
“I think as a group, me as the leader as well, we have to take more accountability for some of the decision-making we’re having in terms of our discipline.”
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea manager
Rosenior emphasised that fines alone are not enough to curb the issue.
“Some of them are just not acceptable at this level. You can fine players. But it’s a focus and a concentration thing that we need to get right.”
The FA Cup quarter-final draw takes place on Monday evening as the race to Wembley intensifies for the remaining clubs in the competition.
Fifth-round action begins on Friday with Liverpool facing Premier League rivals Wolves.
Arsenal take on Mansfield on Saturday, while Chelsea travel to face Wrexham later that day.
Manchester City also face a stern test against Newcastle United as the field narrows down to the final eight.
When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?
The draw is expected to take place on Monday, 9 March 2026.
It will be conducted at the London Stadium ahead of the final tie of the round between West Ham and Brentford.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at approximately 18:35 GMT.
This will occur just before kick-off in the all-London affair, which is set for 20:00 GMT.
How to watch on TV and live stream
Coverage of the draw will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1.
The programme is due to start at 18:30 GMT.
Fans can also stream the event live via the Discovery+ app and website with a valid subscription.
Alternatively, the draw will be available to watch for free on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
When will the matches be played?
The quarter-final ties are scheduled to be played across the weekend of 4 and 5 April 2026.
Ball numbers for the draw will be confirmed by the Football Association following the conclusion of the weekend’s earlier fixtures.
Mauricio Pochettino is preparing to name his United States squad for the crucial March international window, marking the final audition before the pre-World Cup camp begins.
The upcoming fixtures represent the last opportunity for players to impress the Argentine manager directly before the tournament roster is finalized in May.
While the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss has previously approached selection with an open mind, the time for experimentation has effectively concluded.
Pochettino is now focused on tactical refinement rather than assessing depth, heightening the pressure on those currently on the periphery of the squad.
Goalkeeper battle heats up
Matt Freese currently holds the advantage as the number one choice, though the coming month remains critical for the New York City FC stopper.
Despite consistent displays in Major League Soccer, doubts linger regarding the 27-year-old’s ability to produce match-winning performances at the highest international level.
Recent form suggests the defensive unit has protected him well, but the spotlight is now firmly on his individual capacity to handle World Cup pressure.
Experience could yet prove vital for Matt Turner, who has returned to the New England Revolution following a loan spell from Lyon.
The 31-year-old has prevented significant expected goals (xG) early in the MLS season, aiming to prove his value to the national setup despite missing out on selection last November.
Pochettino has made it clear that historical achievements mean little, demanding that Turner delivers in the present to reclaim his position.
Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte remains in contention, relying on credit built up with the coaching staff despite a difficult start to the domestic campaign under Henrik Rydstrom.
Defensive decisions
Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards is available for selection having fully recovered from a foot laceration sustained in December.
The 25-year-old’s return to fitness provides a timely boost for the national team’s defensive options ahead of the final run-in.
Tottenham Hotspur face a financial catastrophe worth more than £260m in lost revenue if they suffer relegation from the Premier League this season.
The prospect of one of the top flight’s ‘Big Six’ dropping into the second tier has long been considered impossible given their immense resources.
However, the north London club sit just a point above 18th-placed West Ham United with only 10 games remaining of the campaign.
While Wolves and Burnley appear set for the bottom two spots, Spurs remain locked in a survival battle alongside the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.
Projected income collapse
Should the unthinkable happen, the economic reality for the club would be stark.
Spurs generated £690m in income last year, a figure that ranked them ninth amongst all European clubs.
According to BBC Sport analysis, that figure could plummet by as much as £261m in the Championship.
This reduction represents a fundamental shift in the club’s operating model.
Stadium and matchday revenue
A significant portion of the potential losses would come from matchday income.
Ticket sales currently earn the club £130m annually, the fifth-highest total across the continent.
Having constructed a new stadium for approximately £1bn, the hierarchy has focused heavily on premium hospitality and corporate packages.
Fans currently pay an average of £76 per home match, a pricing structure that would be unsustainable in the second tier.
Hosting Championship fixtures against smaller opposition would force a reduction in ticket prices and likely lead to a drop in overall attendance.
Broadcast and commercial blow
The most immediate impact would be felt in broadcast revenue.
Relegation would strip the club of access to the Premier League’s lucrative domestic and international TV deals.
Furthermore, revenue from Champions League participation would evaporate entirely.
Commercial income, which reached a club-record £269m last year, would also suffer significant damage.
Major sponsorship deals with kit manufacturer Nike and shirt sponsor AIA are worth a combined £70m annually.
However, these contracts typically contain relegation clauses that would slash their value in the event of a drop to the Championship.
Even the fixture list would have a financial cost.
The Championship season involves four extra home matches, reducing the available dates for hosting lucrative non-football events and concerts at the stadium.
Former striker Robbie Keane has emerged as a surprise contender to take over as Tottenham manager this summer alongside Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi.
The north London club are weighing up their long-term options to replace caretaker boss Igor Tudor.
Tudor is unlikely to remain in the post beyond the current campaign.
Spurs have identified their former captain as a potential candidate following his managerial success abroad.
Keane impressing in Europe
The 45-year-old has rebuilt his reputation in the dugout with Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
Keane has guided the Budapest-based side to a league title, winning 42 of his 69 matches in charge.
This equates to a win rate of 61% for the Republic of Ireland legend.
However, Tottenham may face competition for his signature.
Premier League rivals Crystal Palace are also tracking Keane as they prepare to lose Oliver Glasner when his contract expires.
Relegation battle complicates search
Tottenham’s ability to land a high-profile target remains dependent on their Premier League status.
The club sits just one point above the relegation zone ahead of a crucial clash with Palace on Thursday.
Spurs are currently on a dismal run of 11 league matches without a win.
De Zerbi is considered a top target, but the Italian is unlikely to accept a role in the Championship.
The former Brighton boss is also being monitored by Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Pochettino link remains
Mauricio Pochettino remains a primary candidate for a return to north London.
The Argentine is currently preparing to lead the USA at their home World Cup.
Reports suggest Pochettino would not necessarily be deterred by managing in the second tier.
However, his salary demands could prove a stumbling block if the club suffers relegation.
Robert Lewandowski says Harry Kane’s pursuit of his Bundesliga goalscoring record has made him even prouder of the feat as the Barcelona striker considers his own future.
Kane closes in on historic tally
The England captain has scored 30 goals in 24 league games for Bayern Munich this season, threatening the total set by his predecessor in the 2020-21 campaign.
Lewandowski established the benchmark of 41 goals in just 29 appearances during his final years in Germany.
Despite the threat to his legacy, the 37-year-old insists seeing another elite forward chase the number highlights just how difficult the original achievement was.
“Harry Kane is scoring always so many goals and he’s playing really good and he’s doing a great job,” Lewandowski told Sky Sports.
“I saw I did this in 29 games… if I played 34 games, I can only imagine I could even score more.”
The Polish international admits the Englishman’s form has offered a new perspective on his own statistics.
“Because of him, I can be more proud of my record now,” he added.
The changing role of the number nine
Currently in his 22nd season as a professional, the Barcelona forward believes the production of elite strikers has stalled due to modern coaching methods.
He suggests that academies are now prioritizing tactical uniformity over individual brilliance.
“From academies you have so many similar players,” the former Borussia Dortmund attacker explained.
“The way they want to learn how to play football is like copy and paste. Like a factory.”
He noted that while unique talents still emerge, the volume of “maverick” players has decreased significantly compared to when he began his career.
Rashford potential and Barcelona future
Lewandowski also discussed the potential of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, whom he views as a significant talent in the European game.
The veteran marksman is currently chasing a La Liga and Champions League double with Barcelona as the 2025-26 campaign enters its final stages.
However, questions remain regarding his long-term future in Catalonia.
With his contract at the Nou Camp set to expire this summer, the forward maintains his primary focus is adding further silverware to his collection before making a decision on his next step.