Odegaard seeks FA Cup run, and gives injury update | Interview | News

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 Wigan Athletic, Martin reflects on Thursday’s game at Brentford, the frustration at not having a recent cup run, the danger of facing a lower-league team and the Winter Olympics. Here is a snippet:

It was frustrating not to be able to take all three points on Thursday, especially after the way we started the second half. We were able to take the momentum of the game back in that period, take more control of the game and we had some good moments in that time. We were looking dangerous in and around the box and then Noni scored a good header to put us ahead. 

We were looking strong but then the game changed again. Brentford played to their strengths and made it hard for us, as they have done to many teams all season. We needed to carry on playing how we had been before we scored the goal, so it was frustrating that we couldn’t do that. We should have been better at not conceding too many set pieces and throw-ins, and then we need to do better when the ball comes into the box – myself first. 

I picked up a bit of an injury when they scored their goal, but hopefully it’s not too bad. We’ll see how it goes in the build-up to today’s game and over the next few days. I tried to clear the ball as it came down, but instead kicked into the player a bit, and ended up over-stretching my leg, which pinched the knee. I was able to carry on, but on Friday morning it was very sore, so I was worried of course, but thankfully it looks like it’s not too bad.

Today it’s a change of focus in the FA Cup, which is a big target for us. This group of players hasn’t had a run in this competition, and it’s definitely something we want to do. We know we can do better in this competition. In recent years, we’ve gone out quite early, so that’s something we want to make better and it’s another competition we want to go all the way in. 

We are top of the league, we finished top of the league in the Champions League format, we’re into the Carabao Cup final so this is the next one, and it’s another big one for us. We are in strong positions, and we will keep focused on ourselves and pushing in all competitions. Facing a team from League One means we have to stay completely focused, because for them it’s kind of like a free hit. 

Wigan have everything to win and nothing to lose, so it’s extra motivation for them. I know their league form hasn’t been good, but this is a one-off game and they’ll be up for it. That’s always a test for us to be at our best, do the basics right and be really on it. Then we can hopefully show our quality, so it’s just about being focused, doing our job properly and then it can be hopefully be a good night if we do that.

Away from football, as a Norwegian, I’ve been following the Winter Olympics, though I haven’t had the chance to watch a lot of it, to be honest, as we’ve been training hard and playing a lot. I’ve been following the results though, especially the skiers, we’re doing really well and it’s good to see a lot of Norwegian winners there. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo again, the cross-country skier, has been unreal the way he’s been competing, just incredible. 

The whole country always gets behind the Winter Olympics team, it’s really big at home, especially the skiing, and it’s something I always watched growing up. It’s part of our culture, the winter sports, I used to do skiing when I was younger and I really liked it. The whole country does it really – there’s a saying that you are born with skis on your legs in Norway, but football soon took over for me!

Read the rest of Martin’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Wigan Athletic programme either around the stadium or online.

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