Odegaard: It’s really fun to play with this team – Arseblog News

Martin Odegaard was Arsenal’s metronome once again as Mikel Arteta’s players brushed aside Leicester to secure a comfortable 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium. 

After the game, the Norwegian international chatted to homeland station TV2 about his performance, the Gunners’ improvement and why his boss always seems to collar him for in-game tactical chats.

Here’s what he had to say…

On his performance…

I think I had an okay match, I created some dangers even though they maybe didn’t lead to anything really big. With a bit more flow it could maybe have led to a goal but we won in the end and it was a solid performance except for that period in the first half when they had the ball and we gave them too much time with it. Again though, it was solid and that’s a great feeling.

On Arsenal playing fun football again…

Yes, it’s really fun to play with this team. We’re a group of players that know each other well now and it’s getting better and better. The system works better and better as well, it flows really well now.

On his confidence growing…

I think self-confidence is really important in football and sports in general. I feel it has more to do with our play clicking and us understanding each other very well. When the team works great then it’s easier for me to look good also. Of course, it’s important, but even more important is that we’re growing better and more solid as a team.

On often taking instructions from Arteta during games…

I don’t know, it’s maybe a bit random [that he talks to me]. I try to drink a lot [on the touchline] and then it always comes with a message or two, so it isn’t really anything special around that.

On what types of things he’s trying to improve in his game…

It was a lot about my position, what parts of the pitch I have to threaten and where I should play. Last year, I maybe came a bit to deep too often and often I was facing the wrong direction. We’ve found a better position and rhythm, so I’m able to get inside dangerous areas more often now where I can make things happen.

On the atmosphere in the group…

I’ve not witnessed anything like this before, we definitely have something special here. You can tell across the whole club that we’re building something special and it’s a group of players that likes each other and likes playing football together. You can see that on the pitch.