Odegaard aims to bounce back against Brentford

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

Ahead of today's game against Brentford, you can read a snippet of his latest column which includes his thoughts on our opponents, how we want to bounce back against them and the impression our January signings have made at London Colney so far.

When you are down you have to step up and that’s what we need to do this weekend. The last time we lost in the league we faced Brentford in the following game too, and we will be looking for the type of performance we put in when we beat them away back in September.

I think we controlled that game completely and it was a very solid performance. We will try to do the same thing again and make sure we get back to winning ways.

As I’ve said many times, you know all the games are tough and the Everton game was more evidence of that. So you have to make sure you are 100 per cent focused and ready every time.

Brentford are a very impressive team, and club as well, because they have built a really strong team with a small budget. It looks like everyone is really fighting for the team. They have good players, they can create problems in many different ways and they are physical too. They have quality on the ball so it's a good team and I like what they're doing, so a lot of credit to them.

Since my last programme notes the transfer window has closed, and our three new players have certainly helped bring a new energy to the training ground.

They are all settling well; Leo and Jorginho already know the league and the country, so it’s been easy for them to adapt. Of course, there are some new things for them to learn in the way we play, but so far it’s been really natural and they are doing really well in training.

For Jakub it’s a bit different. It’s a new country, he doesn’t speak much English and he’s still young, so we are all trying to help him as much as possible, make him feel welcome and help him if he needs anything. But I must say he’s been doing really well in training, so I’m sure he will adapt really quickly here.

It's always a good boost to the squad to have new signings. When new players come in they want to prove themselves and show what they can do. So then everyone has to step up a little bit, it makes us sharper in training and in the games.

For me personally, it was nice to have a relaxing transfer window for a change! I think this season was the first for about six or seven years that I really knew I was going to be in the same place after the summer! So that’s good for me, and makes a big difference to have that peace and know that everything is right the way it is.

Read the rest of Odegaard’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying a copy of the Arsenal v Brentford programme either around the stadium or online, and you can also purchase a seasonal subscription to get every issue through your door.