Press conference

Odegaard – I’m playing my best football

It was all eyes on Martin Odegaard as he returned to Norway for his first game in club football since leaving Stromgodset for Real Madrid back in 2015.

Still only 23, Martin was just 13 when he made his first team debut in a friendly, and he played a league game against Bodo/Glimt when he was 15.

Now the captain of his country, and one of Europe’s foremost No. 10s, he comes back to Norway as Arsenal skipper too, playing what he believes is the best football of his career.

Before our Europa League game on Thursday, Martin faced the media. Here’s a full transcript of what he said…

On the challenges of playing on an artificial pitch...

I think the biggest mistake we can make is to talk too much about the pitch, the weather or whatever. The most important thing is just to come here and win the game, that’s all that matters. We are not going to focus too much on the pitch, obviously it’s different and we have to adjust a little bit but it’s still football, it’s still the same rules and we are going to go out to win the game.

On the differences on the pitch this year compared to last…

I think it’s just us becoming better as a team. We all understand what Mikel wants from us, even more. We work hard every day to improve and everyone understands the system and the style. We are working hard to improve on the pitch and of course we have brought some new players in who have got a lot of qualities. I think the main thing is the work we do every day at the training pitch, how we improve and how we work.

On his memories of making his club debut 10 years ago in Norway…

Yeah, I remember it well. I was a kid, I feel young today but that was about eight, ten years ago so I was a kid. It was a good time obviously, I was playing football, having fun, enjoying life doing what I love. It was a great time, everything went really quick but I enjoyed it and there’s nothing more to say, it was fun.

On whether he’s played back in Norway since leaving…

I played for the under-21s and the national team but it’s been a while since I played here.

On his reception back in Norway…

There were a lot of kids outside, training on the pitch next to the stadium. I saw a lot of Arsenal shirts, it’s good to see this reception and hopefully we will see them tomorrow and hopefully the atmosphere will be brilliant again. I think the fans here are really good, they did a good job at the Emirates as well so I’m looking forward to the game and the atmosphere.

On what indicators he looks to as a captain for the team to start well…

Same as always really. The same mindset as always, we want to affect the game and start strong. We always want to do that so we’ll try to do that tomorrow again.

On whether it’s the best form of his career so far…

Yes I think so. I think I’ve developed a lot in the last few years. I’ve always been good on the ball but I feel like I’m developing a different side of my game now as well, without the ball. How to improve and affect the game in different ways, so yeah I feel like I’m doing well and of course when the team is doing well it makes things easier for me as well. I’m really happy to be part of this team and happy with where we are at the moment, but we want more of course.

On how being captain has changed him…

I haven’t thought too much about it to be honest. I try to do the same things, help the team as much as possible. I enjoy the responsibility and just try to do the best for the team always and hopefully that’s good.

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