Martin Odegaard says one of the few upsides of being injured is the hunger and excitement that builds as a return draws near.
The Arsenal captain has had a rough time of it this season, twice taking knocks to a shoulder before a clash of knees in October’s win over West Ham forced him off before half-time for a third consecutive home game. The 26-year-old hasn’t featured since but is expected to return to the matchday squad for today’s North London derby with Sp*rs.
In his absence, Arsenal have kept their title tilt on track, unbeaten at the top of the table, while Norway’s qualification for the World Cup has only sharpened his appetite to get back out there.
“This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well,” Odegaard told the matchday programme.
“I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages where it’s a lot more exciting. I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I’m getting there.
“That’s the best part of the rehab, when you’re getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab.
“I feel like I’m getting stronger and stronger. I can’t wait to be back now, we’re on a good path and it’s looking good. I’m really excited.
“I guess that’s one of the good things about being injured. You get hungrier and more excited to play football again. That’s the good part of it, I’m desperate to get going again.”
With Odegaard sidelined, the captain’s armband has been shared around, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and Mikel Merino all leading the team out. Declan Rice, also part of the leadership group, says the collective feel has been important.
“Martin’s our main captain, he’s incredible, but there’s also a group behind the scenes that help Martin out whenever he needs it,” Rice explained.
“On matchdays, they have their own opinions and say things when they need to be said and I feel like that’s where we’re growing as a group now.
“If things need to be said, they get said, and in a constructive way, in a way that helps push other people. I feel like we do have more leaders now in the group than we’ve ever had, so that’s a really good thing for us.”
With Liverpool and Manchester City both dropping points on Saturday, Arsenal have the chance to open up a meaningful gap on the Premier League’s two most recent champions. Chelsea await next week, and Rice knows the moment is ripe to apply pressure.
“We’re in a great position ourselves and if we keep winning football matches then good things are going to happen,” he said.
“I feel like our group has got such a good mentality even though we’re a young group, we’re really focused and really calm, I don’t see anyone panicking, or anyone worrying about what anyone else thinks.
“We’re just focused on ourselves and what our manager wants us to do, so I feel like that’s what we’re going to keep doing and we’ve started off really well doing that this season, so it’s been good so far.”
