Martin Odegaard after Arsenal’s Europa League elimination to Sporting CP in which the club captain discussed the Premier League title benefit of having less fixtures between now and the end of the season
Martin Odegaard was one of the changes made in extra time, replacing Fabio Vieira. The club captain came on to rapturous applause and his energy lifted the crowd as he tried to encourage greater noise and response from the home support.
He led the team in the shootout, stepping up first as club captain to set an example and scored confidently. However, despite his best efforts, it wasn’t enough to keep the Gunners in European competition.
Speaking after the game, Odegaard was quizzed on a number of topics from the game. football.london asked, though, about the implications on the Premier League title race.
Whilst there is disappointment in defeat, as Odegaard outlines, the benefit is clear. Manchester City are still in both the Champions League and FA Cup and it looks like it gives the Gunners a distinct advantage.
“There are obviously less games, but we wanted to do something special in this competition so it’s disappointing,” Odegaard told football.london . “But also it is straightforward now, we only have the League to focus on.
“We have to make the most of that and make sure we finish well.”
His leadership since being made the club’s captain has been palpable both on and off the field and there’s a real sense of identity that emanates from the 24-year-old. Each time he gets on the ball it feels like something can happen.
With these 11 games and very few midweek fixtures left – in fact, the only one the Gunners have left barring rearrangements is away to Manchester City – Odegaard is almost certain to start the majority, if not all, of the games. An established line-up and consistency in the team might bring the momentum that was established so strongly prior to the World Cup hiatus.