Norway lost three of their four matches during the Nations League international break, but their Premier League players return to England with numbers to show for their efforts. Martin Ødegaard provided three assists, Erling Haaland scored three goals, Oscar Bobb two and Kristoffer Ajer one. Club football returns this weekend, with Liverpool–Manchester City the big game on Sunday.

Arsenal have the most to be pleased about. Ødegaard was brought down by a kick from behind by Bernardo Silva in stoppage time during the 2–1 defeat to Portugal at Ullevaal on 27 September and limped out of the stadium. “That has no place on a football pitch,” the captain told TV 2, according to TNT Sports. He missed one training session but started both against Wales and in the return fixture against Portugal.

He provided assists in three of the four matches: for Bobb's opener in the 3–2 win over Denmark, for Bobb to make it 1–0 in Cardiff and for Ajer to make it 1–0 in Porto, according to FotMob's match data.

Ajer scored, Bobb delivered

Ajer put Norway ahead in the 36th minute in Porto on Sunday. It was his third international goal. João Cancelo equalised two minutes later, and Gonçalo Ramos scored Portugal's winner ten minutes from time. The Brentford centre-back returns to a club sitting fourth in the Premier League and still unbeaten after five matches.

Bobb scored against both Denmark and Wales. At club level, things have been tougher. The 23-year-old moved from Manchester City to Fulham in January and has started all five league matches this season without scoring. Fulham are second from bottom with two points. Team-mate Sander Berge played all 360 minutes for Norway during the international break.

Haaland reaches 65

Haaland scored twice against Denmark and once in the home match against Portugal, taking his tally to 65 goals in 59 internationals. He did not score against Wales or in Porto, where he asked to be substituted after 67 minutes. Norway manager Ståle Solbakken said it was down to fatigue, not injury. A trip to Liverpool awaits on Sunday, in City's first match since the club was found guilty in the 115-charge case.

Here is when the Norwegians play this weekend (Norwegian time):

  • Saturday at 13.30: Arsenal–Leeds (Ødegaard)
  • Saturday at 16.00: Aston Villa–Brentford (Ajer)
  • Saturday at 16.00: Ipswich–Fulham (Berge and Bobb)
  • Sunday at 17.30: Liverpool–Manchester City (Haaland)

Ødegaard's Arsenal are second in the table, three points behind City, and face a Leeds side who are also unbeaten. Ajer and Brentford visit an Aston Villa side with just four points. For the Fulham duo, the trip to Ipswich is a chance to secure their first league win of the season.