Odegaard feeling the benefits of our Dubai trip

Every home game, Martin Odegaard gives you his thoughts on the goings-on around the club in his captain’s notes for the matchday programme. 

Ahead of today's game against Crystal Palace, the skipper lifts the lid on what our warm-weather training camp was like, and how it'll benefit us going forward as we look to turn around form around.

We had a great team trip to Dubai over the winter break, and we have come back full of energy and hunger for the rest of the season. I thought the trip was worthwhile in every aspect. We worked and trained really hard in the good weather, and also got some time to relax. So the balance we had was perfect.

All the sessions were really good and we could also switch off at moments, and be with our families too. Our families got to know each other better as well. It was really nice to see that part of it, and see how connected the whole team is. The families are a big part of what we do as well, and to see them get on together was so nice, and I think they really felt like part of the group, like we are a big family.

It was a good combination out there – we worked hard in training but also were able to switch off a bit as well. What I saw out there is that we are all really well-aligned as a team. We could see straight away how the team was feeling and of course we were a bit down after the last few results, but the most important thing for us was to switch off a little bit. The season is so intense – playing every three or four days – so it’s important as well to disconnect from that, work hard and enjoy training. 

That was the key, to get that balance and we did that really well. The team looks really fresh and hungry now, and we want to show that in the games that we have come back fresher and sharper.

I think it’s important to have this opportunity during the season in the Premier League. I know in a lot of countries they have their break over Christmas, so you get a bit of time there, and in the Netherlands for example it’s longer so you have to do a mini pre-season afterwards, which I think is a bit too much. A week or two is good, and not so long that you have to restart again afterwards.

And after that break, we are determined to get back on the pitch and start picking up wins again. Everyone is so eager to play again, it’s been a while, and after the last few results we are determined to put in a good performance and get a win.

Read the rest of Martin's notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying a copy of the Arsenal v Crystal Palace programme either around the stadium or online