Odegaard on World Cup Qualification and Derby Buzz

Arsenal’s Odegaard on Derby Excitement and World Cup Qualification

The Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has shared his thoughts ahead of the highly anticipated derby match against Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium. In an interview conducted via his captain’s notes, published in the matchday programme, Odegaard expressed enthusiasm for this special fixture.

Excitement and Preparation

“This is the perfect game for the squad to come back to after the international break,” Odegaard began. “It’s a special fixture, always a big one, and everyone wants to play in it. Everyone is excited for this game, it’s always an incredible atmosphere, and you just can’t wait to get out there after the build-up during the week.”

According to Odegaard, the derby holds significant importance both for the supporters and within the club itself. “It means a lot to everybody,” he said. “And I think it makes it easier for the players coming back from internationals to face a game like this.”

World Cup Qualification

The Norwegian international, who recently qualified for his national team’s World Cup campaign, spoke about the joy and relief of finally achieving this goal. “It was unbelievable from start to finish in qualifying,” Odegaard shared. “We won all the games, and the way we won them, the amount of goals we scored, and barely conceded – it was solid from start to finish.”

For Odegaard, who has been part of the Arsenal team since 2014, this qualification is a personal dream come true. “We’ve failed to qualify a lot of times,” he reflected. “So for me personally, I’ve been in the team since 2014 and during that time we haven’t qualified for a major tournament, so to finally get there is huge.”

Injury Recovery

Despite being back from international duty with Norway, Odegaard has also been focusing on his recovery from an injury. “I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well,” he said. “I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages where it’s a lot more exciting. I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I’m getting there.”

Reflecting on his journey back to full fitness, Odegaard added, “That’s the best part of the rehab, when you’re getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab. I feel like I’m getting stronger and stronger.” He expressed eagerness to return to play: “I can’t wait to be back now, we’re on a good path and it’s looking good.”

Read the rest of Martin’s notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Tottenham programme either around the stadium or online, or to get every edition delivered to your door.

The Derby Rivalry: A Special Fixture in the Making

As Arsenal prepares for this highly anticipated match against Tottenham Hotspur, the squad is ready to face a tough opponent. Odegaard emphasized the importance of staying focused and being fully prepared from the very first second. “We know there is no option but to be completely on it,” he said. “That’s what you want.”

The derby is not just about the match itself; it’s also a source of motivation for new players joining the team. Odegaard noted, “This rivalry is something you feel when you arrive here.

I remember my first derby and people talking about it inside the club. We’ve got people here who have been at the club for a long time and are massive Arsenal fans so they will tell you straight away!”

The atmosphere surrounding the match is expected to be electric, with supporters looking forward to celebrating this special fixture. “It’s such a special moment,” Odegaard concluded. “Everyone is so delighted and happy, we felt a lot of positivity and love from the people.”

The 2026 World Cup is also on everyone’s mind, as several Arsenal players are preparing for their national teams’ campaigns. Odegaard, while gutted he couldn’t play in the qualifying games, expressed gratitude to the supporters: “I was gutted that I couldn’t play and be a part of it but I obviously wanted to be there to support the team and the players, and also to say thank you to the supporters afterwards, to celebrate with them all.”

For now, Arsenal fans can look forward to another thrilling derby match at Emirates Stadium, as both teams prepare for what promises to be a highly charged atmosphere. The fixture not only holds significance within the club but also represents a pivotal moment in the season ahead.