‘We have to’: Martin Odegaard now sends message to Arsenal squad following Man City defeat
Arsenal were handed a boost on Saturday, with Mikel Arteta’s side winning comfortably away at Bournemouth, at the same time that Manchester City lost their first game of the season at Wolves.
If Arsenal are to challenge Pep Guardiola’s side for the Premier League title again, every dropped point by Man City is significant, and their shock defeat may have caused excitement around the squad.
With Arsenal set to face City next week, their defeat may have come at the perfect time, as they will be heading to the Emirates on the back of a poor result without a number of key players.
However, the Arsenal players know too well how dangerous it is to get caught up in City’s results, having been usurped in the title race last season, and captain Martin Odegaard has now sent a warning to the rest of the squad.
Odegaard calls for focus
Speaking to Football.London, the Norweigan called for his squad to not get carried away by City’s results, and to focus on the upcoming games both domestically and in the Champions League.
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“We have to focus on ourselves. This league is so tough you say that everyone can beat everyone and you have to be sharp, ready for every game and it is such a busy schedule now. So we have to focus on ourselves. Make sure we are ready for next week,” he stated.
“I think every game is a big game. So, first we are in the Champions League [vs Lens] and we have to be ready for that one [vs City] and then we’ll see after that but every game for us it’s a big game.”
City’s defeat a welcome boost
Whilst the players should perhaps shut out the noise when it comes to the treble winners, Arsenal fans were delighted that Wolves had pulled off an unexpected win, and there may now be extra confidence heading into Sunday’s huge clash.
City are currently without two important players in Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, and City have lost both their games they have played with the defensive midfielder suspended.
With the Spaniard set to serve the final game of his suspension at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s side will hope to make it a hat-trick of defeats for City without him.
