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 this evening's big Europa League meeting with PSV Eindhoven, you can read a snippet of his latest column which includes his thoughts on how our Europa League campaign is going so far, and what we're aiming for:
It’s back to the Europa League tonight to play PSV, and when you look at the names in the group, you would say that they are probably our toughest opponents in the group. I think Bodo are strong at home, so it will be interesting to see what happens when PSV play there, but for sure it will be a big test for us tonight.
They have scored so many goals this season, especially in the last few weeks, and they have a lot of quality up front. It’s a very dangerous team, and it will be a completely different type of game again, that we need to prepare for.
We are in a strong position in the group after three games, but we can’t relax because our aim is to not just qualify, but win the group too. If we can do that we know that we will basically miss out the play-off round and then play later in the new year. It was our main goal before we started, and it still is now, so tonight’s game is very important to achieve that.
We have to get qualification first, and then think about the next round, but if you look at the sides that could come into the competition from the Champions League, then you know there will be a lot of quality in the Europa League. The challenge to win the tournament is great, but it’s a good challenge for us, that’s what we want to do – fight to win trophies. That’s the goal and that’s why every match is so important for us.
We all need to be together to achieve that, and on behalf of the whole team, I want to thank you for your amazing support lately – we could hear you in both Bodo and Leeds – it’s unbelievable, and makes a big difference to us.
Read the rest of Odegaard’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying a copy of the Arsenal v Tottenham programme either around the stadium or online, and you can also purchase a seasonal subscription to get every issue through your door.
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