When video of Martin Odegaard being WRESTLED by his own Norway coach surfaced, Arsenal supporters went crazy.
And that made some people wonder if Real Madrid had deployed him as a secret spy to harm the Gunners captain.
In Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying match in Hungary, Odegaard, 26, guided his nation to a 4-2 victory over Israel.
After recording a hat-trick of assists, the playmaker was substituted out during injury time by manager Stale Solbakken.
Solbakken, who has a wonderful relationship with Odegaard, was obviously thrilled with his star’s performance.
So much so that he hugged the Arsenal hero and shook hands with him while offering some words of support.
Then, in the technical area by the side of the field, the 57-year-old former Wolves manager Solbakken playfully put Odegaard in a headlock.
In an attempt to floor his captain, he abruptly intensified the prank by pulling the football player down in what appeared to be a wrestling motion.
Ironically, however, Odegaard somehow stayed upright, and it was Solbakken who struck the deck before letting go.
As the Gunners player made his way to the dugout to sit and watch the final few minutes of play, the two of them were laughing.
However, Arsenal supporters were less amused.
Keeping their slim prospects of winning the Premier League alive and, more significantly, their Champions League quarterfinal matchup with Real Madrid are the goals of Mikel Arteta’s team’s upcoming schedule.
Prior to the rematch at the Bernabeu on April 16, the Gunners visit the current Kings of Europe on April 8.
And rather than being thrown around in a wrestling contest while on international service, fans are itching to see their injured captain dressed in cotton wool and facing his old squad.
One person joked on social media after watching the video of Solbakken: “Was this coach sent by Madrid to take out Odegaard??”
“This man must be a Madrid fan,” someone else said. He wants to hurt our captain.
“I’d be flying to Norway to chin him if he injured him,” a third person commented.
The fourth person said, “Get tf off my captain man, we can’t afford any more injuries.”
Finally, one commenter said: “Dear coach, please don’t do that. Regards, all Arsenal supporters.