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 huge clash with Manchester City, he writes about our impressive Champions League campaign, Ethan Nwaneri’s growth throughout the season and the rivalry between ourselves and the reigning champions. Here is a snippet:
We were really pleased with how we finished off in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with another very good win. I think during the league phase overall we were very solid throughout the whole programme.
We went into it wanting to finish in the top eight, but of course you don’t really know how many points you will need because it was completely new for everyone. So our approach was just to go into every game looking to win. We managed to finish third, winning six out of our eight matches and qualify directly into the round of 16, so that’s brilliant for us.
It was a really good night for Ethan, he had another great performance. I’ve said before that we don’t look at him as an emerging talent, we just see him as a great player. That says it all really for someone who’s 17. He’s just a natural part of our squad and the team, and you can see the talent he brings. It was another great goal from him, we’re all really pleased for him.
Everyone can see what he can do with the ball, his touch and technique, but he’s also really physical. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s strong, so powerful and can run with the ball. He takes on players and has the power in his body to beat them. Then there’s his finishing – he has a great strike with his left foot.
Today we face Manchester City, which is always one of the biggest games of the season. It maybe feels a bit different to what we would have been expecting a few months ago. It’s been strange to be fair, we’re not used to seeing them losing games and dropping points but it’s proof of how tough this league is, how difficult every game is and how you have to be so switched on for every single moment.
But everyone knows the quality in their team, and how tough the game will be. It’s another battle for us, and with the history between us over the past couple of years, it’s a special game. Let’s be up for it, and be ready for hopefully a big night at home.
At this stage of the season, coming into the last few months, the games are bigger and there is more to play for. The stakes are high, and we have to make things happen. We can do that together, by creating a great atmosphere inside the stadium again today, and embracing it together. Enjoy the game.
Read the rest of Martin’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Manchester City programme either around the stadium or online.
Copyright 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
Real Madrid’s young star Martin Odegaard has heaped praise on his teammate Chidi Nwaneri, describing him as a “special” player with immense talent and potential. In a recent interview, Odegaard highlighted Nwaneri’s technical ability, vision, and composure on the ball, suggesting that he has the potential to become a key player for the Spanish giants in the future.
Odegaard also spoke about the upcoming clash against Manchester City in the Champions League, describing it as a “special” game that he is looking forward to. The Norwegian midfielder expressed his excitement at facing a top team like City and relished the opportunity to test himself against some of the best players in the world.
As Real Madrid prepare for their crucial Champions League tie against City, Odegaard’s praise for Nwaneri and his anticipation for the game only adds to the excitement surrounding the match. With both players in fine form, fans can expect a thrilling encounter between two talented teams vying for a spot in the next round of the competition.
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