Odegaard shakes off ankle scare to face Bernardo's Portugal again

📰 Having shaken off ankle injury fears, Ødegaard followed up the Wales game by facing Bernardo Silva's Portugal again, this time in Porto. 📌 Key points 🩹 He hurt his ankle from a late tackle by Bernardo in the game against Portugal in Oslo. 🔍 Scans showed no significant damage. 🅰️ On 2 October away in Wales, he set up Bobb's opener. ⚔️ On the 4th, Norway faced Portugal again in Porto, a week after the first meeting. 🏟️ Arsenal host Leeds in the league on the 10th. 📝 What happened 🩹 In Norway's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in Oslo late last month, Ødegaard was caught by a late tackle from Bernardo Silva. Just Arsenal reported that Ødegaard was angered by the challenge and that Bernardo showed no sign of remorse even after the game. There were concerns about his ankle afterwards, but according to Read Arsenal, scans found no significant damage. 🅰️ Ødegaard started against Wales in Cardiff on 2 October and set up the opener in the 11th minute with a one-two with Oscar Bobb. But after Daniel James equalised and Torbjørn Heggem was sent off, Neco Williams scored from a free-kick as Norway lost 2-1. Sky Sports said Haaland was kept quiet by the Wales defence. ⚔️ Norway met Portugal again on the 4th at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Ødegaard's 36th-minute free-kick set up Kristoffer Ajer's opener, but Portugal came from behind to win 2-1 with goals from Cancelo and Gonçalo Ramos. 🗣️ After the Wales game, Wales manager Bellamy said it was important for confidence as their first win in Nations League A. 📊 By the numbers • First meeting in Oslo: Norway 1-2 Portugal • Wales: Norway lost 2-1, Ødegaard assist in the 11th minute • Second meeting in Porto: Norway lost 2-1, Ødegaard played the full game, assist in the 36th minute • Norway's group position: 3 points from 4 games, bottom (Arsenal official) 👀 Things to watch 🩹 The ankle — Ødegaard has provided assists in two straight games despite the injury scare. After back-to-back physical games, how his ankle responds on his return to Arsenal is the first thing to check. ⚔️ The Bernardo reunion — the two players, with tension lingering from the tackle in the first game, met again a week later. Whether the needle between them carried on in Porto is also of interest. 🔁 Norway's form — Norway lost to Wales and Portugal in this window, dropping to the bottom of the group and facing the threat of relegation from League A. Ødegaard's burden has grown as he also takes on the job of lifting the team as captain. 🏟️ How to use him against Leeds — Arsenal host Leeds at the Emirates at 12.30pm (UK time) on the 10th. With league and European fixtures coming thick and fast after that, managing Ødegaard's minutes will be key. 🔭 Why it matters Captain Ødegaard is the hub of Arsenal's attacking play. Easing the ankle worries and setting up goals in two straight international games are good signs, but with a hectic October ahead, his fitness will need managing. Next up is Leeds on 10 October.