Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard don admit say injuries leave am frustrated last season, even though him and him team win the Premier League. The Gunners claim di title for di first time in over 20 years under Mikel Arteta, after dem finish seven points clear of nearest challengers Manchester City.
Na di north London side finally get over di line following three successive near misses. Odegaard and him teammates celebrate well well, but di midfielder talk say persistent injury issues throughout di campaign take some shine off wetin suppose be memorable season.
Di 27-year-old make just 17 Premier League starts last season, as knee and muscle injuries force am to battle. Reports from VG talk say he endure seven separate injury interruptions as shoulder, knee and muscular problems stop am from building sustained momentum.
Odegaard tell VG say: ‘Compared to last year – which was a very peculiar season with numerous injuries and various other issues – things are different now.’ He add say: ‘When you do everything, you can every day to take care of your body, yet still get so many punches in the face, it’s obviously tough.’
Di Arsenal captain also open up say di wahala no just stop for training ground. ‘It obviously affects me at home, even though I try to put it aside. It was a tough year personally, with a lot of frustration,’ he talk. He joke say: ‘I imagine she’s (his wife) happier these days, yes.’
Despite those grievances, Odegaard now look like say he don return to him best. He don already make eight appearances and score four goals, bettering him goalscoring record from last season. Last term, he manage only one goal across 36 matches in all competitions.
When dem ask am how he take recapture him form, Odegaard talk: ‘I had some time off after the season, then went through the pre-World Cup build-up, easing my way back into match fitness. Since then, I’ve been in good form and playing matches, so things are going better.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also recognise di midfielder improvement now say he back to full fitness. Arteta talk: ‘First of all he needs to be available and last year he missed so many games through injuries.’
Odegaard go hope to shine for Norway over di three-week international break. Norway set to take on Denmark on Thursday evening for Ullevaal Stadion, before clashes with Portugal twice and Wales for Nations League fixtures. Di Norwegian Football Federation confam say Norway begin against Denmark at 20:45.
For club side, Odegaard don show him influence beyond goals. Against Napoli, he register 120 touches, create six chances and play five line-breaking passes before scoring Arsenal winner. Dat one follow another decisive performance for di 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea.
Arsenal gaffer Mikel Arteta don oversee total transformation of di club since him appointment for 2019. Arsenal dey 10th for Premier League table when he take over, but now dem don re-establish among Europe elite. Arteta join select group of 13 managers to don win di Premier League. He get chance to join even smaller group wey only Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger dey, if he win am more than once.
Securing first Champions League, after guiding Arsenal to only dia second final last term, na another chance for immortality. Di agreement over him new contract, wey co-chair Josh Kroenke describe as ‘utmost priority’ for May, reflect di club belief say dem dey best possible hands. Kroenke talk: ‘We think we have a chance here to dominate.’
But work still dey to sustain di trajectory. Arsenal defeat to Brighton highlight room for improvement. Arteta talk: ‘This is a big lesson for all of us to understand what it takes to win at this level.’ Arsenal go into di season as most people favourites to win di title, but only handful of sides don go back-to-back for Premier League era. Arsenal never manage am since di 1930s.
Odegaard go then turn him attention back to club commitments and getting Arsenal back on track. Di Gunners were thumped 3-0 by Brighton for dia final match before di international break. Dia next game pit dem against Leeds for Emirates Stadium ahead of Champions League showdown with Lille.
