Arsenal fans will warm to Erling Haaland a little more after he sides with Martin Ødegaard
The theme of this international break, for all clubs really, has been players getting injured. Arsenal may have already lost Kai Havertz, who played only half an hour of Germany's opening match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, before coming off due to a hamstring issue and withdrawing from the squad.
Now, Mikel Arteta might be sweating over the fitness of another one of his most important players Martin Ødegaard. On Sunday night, reigning UEFA Nations League winners Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in Oslo; Jorge Jesus' side putting in a cohesive performance, while Cristiano Ronaldo remained among the substitutes. That though was not the biggest talking point post-match.
Deep into injury time, Ødegaard passed to Andreas Schjelderup and, at least a second after the ball had been released, Bernardo Silva, viciously and cowardly, wiped out the Arsenal captain, scissor kicking his standing leg with both of his feet.
It’s a head fog from him, he just kicks me down long after I’ve played the ball away. I don’t understand what he’s doing. It does not belong on a football pitch... I took a knock to my ankle. I probably won’t sleep well tonight, but I’m hoping it will improve over the next few days.Martin Ødegaard
When also asked by Norwegian broadcaster TV2 to repeat what he said to Silva following the incident, Ødegaard replied "I don’t think we should say that on TV". Team mate Leo Østigård backed up his captain, stating "it’s terribly ugly, terribly bad. When it comes so long after the ball has gone, it looks quite deliberate".
Silva though was less sympathetic. While on his way out of Ullevål Stadion, caught during a live TV broadcast, he was asked about the challenge, the former Manchester City man asserted "it's football my friend". Almost like he knows nigh on a decade of his career is about to be null and void for some reason.
Given recent events, there is not much unity between those associated with Manchester City and the rest of the footballing world right now. However, Erling Braut Håland did show solidarity with his compatriot after full time. When Bernardo Silva went to greet the striker, he did not even look at him, more or less blanking Silva, before having an extended discussion with Rúben Dias. This is also in stark contrast to the warm embrace Håland gave Silva after both team's concluded their warm ups a couple of hours earlier.
Well, this is not likely to be the last of this story. Ståle Solbakken's side take on Wales in Cardiff on Thursday, before meeting Portugal again at Estádio do Dragão next Sunday. From an Arsenal perspective, Silva will be back at Emirates Stadium on 9 December when Real Madrid visit in the Champions League.
Considering los Blancos also have José Mourinho, Marc Cucurella and, for different reasons, Vinícius Júnior in their ranks, they are hardly likely to be welcomed to North London warmly.
