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 return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest, he discusses his comeback against Chelsea, why he didn't feature for Norway during the international break, and his desire to get back to winning ways. Here's a snippet:
It feels really great to be back after recovering from the longest injury of my career. After being out for a long while, it was great to be back and able to play the whole game against Chelsea. Having not had many training sessions before the game, I was quite curious how I was going to react. But I ended up finishing the game, and felt OK, just very, very tired afterwards! But I got through it ok and it was nice to be out there again.
It's just a shame we couldn’t get the win there. We did well and took the lead, but in the end we were disappointed not to win the game. Personally I felt I did all right, considering I was out for so long. You can feel it when you have been out for so long – you need that rhythm and sharpness when you haven’t played the games. So I could feel that a little bit for sure, but overall it was OK, I got the assist for our goal, and did a few other good things. But I’m sure with a few more games and a few more training sessions then that sharpness will come back, and I will be back to my level and feel even better.
Because I hadn’t been training as normal before the Chelsea game, I didn’t feel like I was ready to go away with Norway in the international break and play again so soon. I needed some time to work on my fitness and to make sure the ankle was OK. Also other parts of the body need work when you have been out for a long time – when you play your first game in eight weeks it can be brutal on the body.
So we all decided it was the best decision not to play the Norway games, and I thought it was what my body needed too. So I went there for a few days, then travelled back to London to continue my rehab at Sobha. I want to get back to 100 per cent now, so that’s what I’ve been working on.
We’ve gone a few games without winning in the Premier League, and when you look at the table we are a few points behind. But there is a long way to go, and we remember from last season when we had a tough period in December, we came back really strong. We’re confident we can go on a good run again this season.
That all starts today against Nottingham Forest. I’ve not played at the Emirates since August – it feels like ages ago! It will be great to be back in front of you again, and I’m sure you are all going to be ready for it after the break as well.
We’ll have to be at our best to get a result. They have already won at Anfield this season and will be confident coming here against us. They have done well, they are right up there and I’ve said it whenever we’ve faced them – they are a tough side to play against. They have added even more individual quality this year, and grown as a team, so it’s another big test for us.
The main thing for us is to focus on ourselves and show them – like we want to show every team – that it’s tough to come to Emirates Stadium and get anything. We have to send that message from the first second. You can all help that as well from the stands – let’s show our strength and unity as one from the very start.
Read the rest of Martin's notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Nottingham Forest programme either around the stadium or online - or get a subscription to receive every edition through your door.
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