Odegaard on frustration, pride and summer plans

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 this afternoon's final-day clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the skipper discusses our recent dip in form, how he's improved over the campaign and what his summer plans are:

We’re not at all happy with the end of the season. When the disappointment goes away, and with a bit of time, I guess we will look back at this season and be proud, but right now it’s pain and frustration. 

With the position we’ve been in all season, we’re not happy with second place. Even though it’s a good achievement and probably everyone would have taken it before the season, we wanted to win it when we got into that position. It’s a good sign that we are disappointed, and I think we should be. But also we have done some great things this season and taken some big steps in the right direction. 

Last season we had a difficult end when we dropped out of the Champions League. But we used that anger and came back stronger this year, and we need to do the same thing again. We could have won the league, so let’s use this disappointment in a good way, learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen the same next season. 

This was my first season as captain and I think I’ve grown a lot. I’ve learned to take more responsibility and with the goals I’ve scored too, it’s been good for me. As my first season as captain here I think it’s been OK, but I feel like I can do a lot better too. I’m going to work hard to get better and that’s my main aim now. I know I can still improve so much. 

After today’s game first of all I’ll be getting a bit of rest, then next month I’ve got two important qualifiers with the Norway national team. We’ve got two home games, so I will join up there and hopefully it will be a good camp. Then after that, I’ll have two weeks off or something like that, so I will stay home in Norway and relax with family and friends. I’ll enjoy the Norwegian summer!

Finally, and on behalf of the whole squad, I want to say again how much we appreciated your brilliant support all season. We’ve all been on a great journey together, and shared some amazing moments. You have always been there for us, getting right behind us, from the first game of the season away at Palace, and your support really did make a difference, in the tough times as well. It was crucial for us all season. 

It didn’t end how any of us wanted to, but today we are determined to finish the season in a good way. You all deserve that.

Read the rest of Odegaard’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying a copy of the Arsenal v Wolves programme either around the stadium or online.