Martin Odegaard exclusive: Arsenal 'more mature' under 'unbelievable' Mikel Arteta after 'pain' of title race last year
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Updated 03/04/2024 at 12:33 GMT
The Premier League title race is reaching a thrilling conclusion heading into the final nine games of the season. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are all battling it out for top spot, as the Gunners left the Etihad Stadium with a point against the reigning champions on Easter Sunday. Mikel Arteta's side are back in action against Luton Town on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'He's pushing us in new ways' - Odegaard on how Arteta is driving Arsenal players on
Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal are "more mature" to deal with the demands of a strenuous title race after a "painful" experience last season, and has hailed the qualities of "unbelievable" manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners currently sit sandwiched in between Liverpool and Manchester City heading into the final nine games of the season.
They are two points behind Liverpool and one ahead of City, who overhauled Arsenal to win the title a year ago.
Odegaard thinks his side are now better equipped to deal with the pressure of a run-in ahead of their home clash against Luton Town on Wednesday, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
“I think you see a more mature team. We’ve learned a lot from what happened last season,” he told TNT Sports.
“It was a really tough end [to last season] from everyone at the club. But I think we started in a good way and we are a lot stronger this year.
“Obviously we had some new players coming in and brought in some quality, but I think what we went through was good for the team to progress and grow.
“It was painful but if you use it in a good way, it can help you. So hopefully that’s what we can do this year.”
Arsenal went toe-to-toe with fellow title contenders City on Sunday and shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
With only three points separating the top three sides, Odegaard explained that Arteta is the perfect man to lead the Gunners in one of the most keenly-contested title fights in recent years.
“Every day he [Arteta] is pushing us in new ways and is finding new ways, different ways to do it, different ways to send the message he wants to send.
“He’s an unbelievable manager and so good at finding those small things you can change. It’s so good to work with and every day you can learn so much.”
The Norwegian explained the importance of cancelling out external influences and what it would mean to end the club’s 20-year wait for a Premier League title.
“It’s such an emotional game - a lot of pressure, a lot of people talking and all this. As I said, the main thing is to focus on what we can control, what we can do," he added.
“That’s day by day in training every day and being a little bit better, and working on the details where we can do better. I think if you focus on those things, it’s easier to keep your mind cool as well. That’s the way to go.
“It [winning the title] would mean everything. As I said before, it’s a long way to go and we have to take it day by day. Of course, you have to dream, we will see what happens if we focus and work hard."
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How to watch Arsenal v Luton Town?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
Arsenal v Luton will be live on TNT Sports 2 with coverage from 18:30 ahead of kick-off at 19:30.
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