He may only be 23-years-old but with first team football under his belt for a number of European clubs, as well as a big-money transfer to Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard is arguably one of Arsenal’s most experienced players.
He certainly regards himself as such, even if quite a few of his teammates are within a couple of years of his age.
“It helps me, to be around players in the same situation [in terms of age],” Odegaard told Arsenal.com ahead of Saturday’s clash with Brentford.
“I’ve been through a lot, even though I’m pretty young. In this team I’m not the youngest anymore and I have some experience and I can use that in a positive way, and help the other young players.
“We’re a great group, we have a lot of big young talents but also some more experienced players, I think the mix is good and the team is very hungry. It’s really nice to be part of the team.”
Arsenal currently sit sixth in the Premier League but with three games in hand on both Manchester United and West Ham who sit fourth and fifth respectively, the club is well placed to challenge for a Champions League place.
Given the Gunners haven’t played in the competition since 2017, the Norway international is pleased with the direction of travel under Mikel Arteta.
“I think we’re a very, very interesting group: a lot of young players, and a lot of hungry players,” he noted.
“I feel like we’re building something special here with all the players and the staff.
“It’s really interesting what we’re trying to do and I’m happy with the situation, very happy to be part of the team and hopefully we can keep improving and get better each game. Then we’ll see where it takes us.”
We really are an interesting group. I can’t actually think of a time this has ever been done before, a premier league team with such a young average age. And we don’t always get enough credit for that. For me, the next few months are where we really find out who these lads are. The United win puts a bit of pressure back on us. I don’t think it’ll be talent that is deficient if we don’t get top 4. It’ll be more likely inexperience and mentality. I’m quietly confident. Very quietly as I have a United fan in my… Read more »
I agree with everything except maybe the incest
That’s the exact response my boss gave to my powerpoint “What motivates me”.
Unexpected, that part did make me chuckle out loud at work!
“Except *maybe* the incest?? xDD
My big worry continues to be the manager. Arteta is very good and may even become great, but I’m still not sure that such a strategy of building up a young inexperienced team into champions can succeed without experienced management. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
It worked for Man Utd back in the day. I think Arteta is doing a good job and that he has a clear vision of what needs doing, even if that involves tough decisions in the short term.
Getting rid of all the dead wood this January leaves us ready to go in the summer…..IF we can make top four, get Saka, Saliba, Martinelli etc to sign new contracts we have an amazing base to build on with more quality signings in the summer.
When did it work for Man United?
Surely you can’t mean Ferguson, the man who had won Cup Winner’s Cup and the Scottish League with Aberdeen?
Arteta objectively has nowhere near the accomplishments Ferguson did when he arrived in Manchester.
I’m talking about a young team mate, not the manager. Although I think Arteta is doing a fine job…
Arteta is not inexperienced though, he has been coaching at the highest level for five and a half years.
Stuivenberg and Round have also been around the block.
I’m glad we won’t hear that excuse any more.
Yeah I’m fully behind Mikel but his experience – or lack of – is a weak excuse.
If we don’t qualify for Europe next season though, serious questions need to be asked.
Open to correction here but I believe 4th for Champions League obviously, 5th and 6th for Europa League (as one of the top 4 – Liverpool/Chelsea – will win the League Cup), and 7th for Conference League (only if a top 6 team win the FA Cup).
Conference league is irrelevant – top 6 was the target at the start of the season, top 4 would be an over achievement at this stage of the squad rebuild
Yeah Get Rid!
I tink Ole Gunnar is available
How do two siblings up end supporting two different clubs? Seems a real shame, not being able to meet up with a brother to watch the footy together rooting for the same result.
At least you made the correct choice.
I still have a nagging feeling United will secure 4th.
It would be great to get back to that free-flowing scoring that we had in December, but I can see us winning several games 1-0 between now and May and at least push United all the way until the end.
Doesn’t Blogs’ brother support Liverpool? And James’ supports (shudder) Chelsea. It’s not uncommon.
It’s not uncommon at all. I started supporting Arsenal in January 1971. Because weplayed Liverpool in the FA Cup final that year, my brother decided he would support Liverpool, because he was at the age of automatically gainsaying everything I did and he wanted to see the team I supported lose.
I was very lucky. My family originally originate from Manchester so there are quite a few United supporters in my fam. But when I was seven my best bud at the time took me to watch Arsenal vs Cambridge United in the FA Cup (1991 I think). I walked up those Highbury steps and the rest is history. Couldn’t have fought it if I’d wanted to, which I didn’t. I’ll always remember the pockets of chants coming from all corners of the stadium, the birds on the pitch and David Seaman warming up, plucking crosses out of the air. It’ll… Read more »
Oh man, slowly walking up those Highbury steps, savouring every second. Exhilarating.
I know lots of people are saying if we don’t get CL it is some sort of failure, but I can really see green shoots with these players, and even if we don’t, I hope the club keep the faith, as this team will only grow stronger together. If we can keep Saka, then I think it is a real show to the who league we are coming up .
I was watching Wolves vs Sp*rs last weekend– and at halftime saw a very recent segment with Bukayo talking about ‘meeting his hero’ — Thierry Henry. He went on and on about how important his Arsenal heritage is and was– I was impressed. Think he really wants the chance– as much as is possible– to emulate Henry– at Arsenal. Really feel it would take a lot of things to go sour before Saka would even consider leaving the club.
Fingers crossed. Making top 4 would be such a boost. In my head I draw parallels to how Liverpool dropped away for a few years but worked smart to rebuild a top team. Saka et al really have the potential be legends for this club in the way that Salah and Co are for them.
I think we’re good with Saka for a while, ESR too. Martinelli is the one that scares me a little bit. Slightly allayed by Pool getting Diaz and City the young Argentinean guy, but if we’re still struggling in a year or two, I can’t help but feel the vultures will be circling. Still, I think we’ll get at least next season, which hopefully gives us some time to demonstrate we’re somewhere he can fulfil his potential. Have seen a lot of stories doing the rounds (admittedly from a truly shite source) about him doing lots of work as a… Read more »
can’t see him holding up the ball like Laca does as in this system we desperately need that. I’d rather upgrade Laca to a DCL type person ad leave Martinelli on the left
Martinelli signed a contract extension till 24/25 season. So he is going nowhere yet.
Now if only he could convince his compatriot of what an interesting talented group it is and how special what they’re building is.
Ruben Gabrielsen?
I very much like this project youth reboot!
I watched Madrid play an incredibly negative, uncreative match against PSG. Tony Kroos, Casimiro, and Luka Modric in the midfield–and I think Odegaard would have been a lot better. (Okay, maybe some of that was instruction from the perpetually surprised-looking Ancelotti.)
The Spanish teams look so average it’s crazy.
The absolute dream is that we sneak 4th, and Barca somehow make it in too. Then we get the chance to go to the Camp Nou and put 3 or 4 past the fuckers. There’s no other team in the world that I’d find it quite as satisfying doing that to I don’t think.
Sp*rs?
Who by the way are celebrating this weekend, it will be 22,222 days since they won the league this Saturday. Please help their fans celebrate!
That’s a lot of number 2’s – perfect for Sp*rs.
Just a handy reminder for them that they’ll always be number two.
Really? Thats also Tuesday’s date – 22/2/22 – almost like the universe is laughing at the spuds
Completely agree with this comment, mc.
I’d love to spank those diving, sniveling cheats by 3 or 4 goals at their place.
Beating the neighbors is always, always gratifying. But we owe those barca fuckers a couple pastings.
Any news yet from the Arteta meeting with the PGMOL?
Hahahahhhaaaaaaahaha😂😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪
I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal were deducted points for “inability to control their manager.”
PGMOL are a bunch of wankers.
Who knows when and if that meeting will be. It could be weeks away.
Martinelli is definitely suspended this weekend anyway as I don’t believe you can appeal a sending off if it was for two yellow’s.
Ya, but you the window remains open to tell ’em all to fuck off.
I’m weirdly glad we have games in hand. I would be more worried if there was no pressure or not enough pressure
Happy to hear that MO is happy. We need this kind of energy at the club – players who want to be here and want to give everything for the shirt. It’s looking like we’re building up quite a squad of these kinds of personalities, though a few more puzzle pieces still to find in the summer.
Also, blimey, no CL since 2017, has it been that long?
Reminds me of 07/08’s group of players. Very young, very hungry. We should have won the League that season. Let’s hope we don’t look back at this season and say “we should have finished in the top 4” and actually do it.
What a player and leader we have in MO. Humble and well spoken, and future captain material.