Before every game at Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard lifts the lid on the mood in the camp via his captain’s notes published in the matchday programme.
Ahead of today’s game against Brentford, our captain reflects on our draw at Chelsea, beating Bayern and taking on the Bees. Here is a snippet:
It was a good battle and a really intense game on Sunday. In the end, we have to take the point and move on. Both teams started the game really aggressively, really strongly and there were lots of duels all over the pitch. Obviously, after they got the red card, we felt like we should have gone on to get the win, and there are some areas where we feel like we could have done better, but in the end, it was a point from a tough battle.
Let’s take that, use the disappointment of not winning and make sure we put all that energy into the next games. We were all disappointed at the final whistle, because of course we wanted to win the game, but it was a massive week for us and we got some good results.
There were some positives on Sunday – it was great to see Viktor back on the pitch – and Mikel got another goal for us. He has been unbelievable. He’s so dangerous in the box, he has that smell for goals. He’s always in the right areas and he’s so good in there, so all credit to him.
As I said, it was a massive week for us, after the north London derby and then it was definitely a big statement for us to beat Bayern like we did last Wednesday. If you look at what they’ve done in Germany and also in the UEFA Champions League this season, it’s probably the most consistent side in Europe right now.
To beat them like we did is a massive result. It shows how far we’ve come and how good we are at the moment. It was a massive win. Everyone was so pleased for Noni to get his first goal for us too. I’ve got to know him really well over the past few weeks as we were doing our rehab together. We had a very similar injury, so we’ve spent a lot of time together in the gym and around the training ground. I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to come back as soon and as strong as possible.
His goal last Wednesday was massive for him, and well deserved. He brings a lot of energy to the team with a great sense of humour and always comes in with a smile on his face. He’s always working hard, just a top guy to have in the dressing room. He brings that energy and you can see that on the pitch as well. The way he plays he always wants to go forward, to take the ball and make things happen. He’s a great guy and a quality player.
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So this is another big game tonight and we’ll be ready again. We know what to expect from Brentford. They are a good team, a solid team who are coming off the back of a strong win at the weekend. They have quality and we know they will be up for it, and we expect another good battle. The good thing is we’re back at home and I’m sure all our supporters will be right on it for a night game, and we need you all to be there for us. Let’s make it another big night at our home.
Finally, it feels so great to be back on the pitch! I got those minutes at the end of the Bayern game and it felt so important to be with the team again, and to get into the rhythm again. I needed to get the feel of playing a game, the feel of the tempo and the atmosphere here at the Emirates.
That’s what you miss the most when you’re out, to have that feeling on the pitch. It’s very different when you watch it from the side. Then on Sunday I got more minutes and I’m feeling good now. It has been a weird season for me so far, because I was out for a while, but I’m back now and I want to keep building on that. I’m feeling better and better. It’s amazing to be back out there and now I’m just looking forward because this is a massive stage of the season.
Read the rest of Martin’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Brentford programme either around the stadium or online, or subscribe to get every edition delivered to your door.
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