Martin Odegaard has vowed he and his Arsenal team-mates will return “even more motivated and hungry” to win trophies after nearly missing out on the Premier League title last season.
The Gunners pushed Manchester City into the final day of the 2023-24 season, finishing the campaign with their most wins of the Premier League era, a points total only bettered by the 2003-04 Invincibles, and their most goals in a league season in 71 years. While that was a significant improvement on the previous year, the final outcome was the same: Pep Guardiola's side became champions of England, leaving Arsenal without a major trophy since the summer of 2020.
However, Mikel Arteta and his team did not sit back after the final whistle. Last week, CBS Sports reported that a group of first-team players had flown to Marbella for a pre-season training camp. one that Odegaard has joined as the Gunners attempt to hit the ground running in 2024-25. The club captain cited Arsenal’s slow start as one of the factors that led to City beating them to the post. This season, he is determined to do even better.
“Last season was good, but not good enough to win,” Odegaard told Morning Footy on CBS Sports Golazo Network. “We're going to come back more motivated, more hungry and we're going to push each other harder to win. I think it's going to be a great season.”
Odegaard added that his sense of belief and desire to improve was shared by the entire club. He said: “That's one of our biggest strengths in the team, we are so connected and together. As a club, we do everything we do together. With the supporters, we work in the same direction.
“That's the most important thing for us, doing a lot of the same things. Obviously we want to improve to make sure we win some titles as well, but we've had a great season, making history. Small margins, small details, we can do better and push each other to win some trophies as well.”
Young Arsenal squad gain experience
Arsenal's return to action is all the more impressive given the youth of Arteta's squad. An average starting age of 25 years and 158 days made them the third-youngest team in the Premier League last season, led by a player who won't turn 26 until December. Despite their youth, the core is already well established (and not expected to change radically this summer), with nine players at the club having made over 100 first-team appearances. Despite his fitness, Bukayo Saka is likely to make his 250th appearance for the club this season. Should Arsenal progress deeply in Europe and the domestic cups, Odegaard could approach or even reach 200.
“It's a good group,” Odegaard said, “a lot of young players who are growing together as a team and a group. But we are also experienced players, experience is not just about age, it's about what you've been through and what you've done. If you look at our team, there are a lot of players who have been through a lot at a young age.
“We all want the same thing, to get better and win trophies together. We push everyone hard and it's a pleasure to be part of that.”
Odegaard is a natural leader of this young but experienced side. He was heralded as the next big star when he was approached by a string of Europe’s biggest clubs as a 16-year-old, but the Norway international suffered setbacks at Real Madrid before eventually arriving at Arsenal in 2021, initially on loan. He has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s brightest prospects and one of the most important figures in the dressing room at London Colney.
The 25-year-old may not have the reputation for thundering tackles and on-field violence of Tony Adams or Patrick Vieira, but his exemplary behaviour has earned him much admiration within the club and among supporters. However, it does mean someone else has to take responsibility for keeping things calm. treatment with a hair dryer.
“Mikel, he can do that sometimes. I might not be the one who shouts the most and all that stuff, but I think it's important to tell people when it's not good enough and to tell them when it's good enough. For me, the most important thing is to do what's right for the team and help the players around me get the best out of everyone. There are many ways to do that, I just try to do it my way.”
Arsenal's preparations for 2024-25 may still be underway in Marbella, but they will continue in July when they travel to the United States. On July 24 and 27 they play Bournemouth and Manchester United in Los Angeles, before taking on Liverpool in Philadelphia three days later.
“We're really excited,” Odegaard said. “It's always great to travel there and see all those supporters, to feel that [support] from different parts of the world. It's always a bit surprising when you travel so far and see how much support we have.”
