Odegaard was impressed by one player's big momentplaceholder image
Odegaard was impressed by one player's big moment | AFP via Getty Images
Martin Odegaard has been speaking after Arsenal’s win over Brighton on Saturday.
Martin Odegaard has been speaking after his goal-scoring performance in Arsenal’s narrow win over Brighton on Saturday. The Gunners controlled much of the proceedings and took a dominant lead through a fine Odegaard strike and an own goal from a corner.
Brighton then get back into it when Diego Gomez scored in the second half, and there were around 10 minutes where the Seagulls were piling the pressure on, looking likely to grab an equaliser.
In fact, Brighton probably should have scored the equaliser through Yankuba Minteh, but David Raya had other ideas. The Spaniard pulled off a superb one-handed save at full stretch, with Minteh’s shot heading for the far top corner.
"I think that was the only big chance they had apart form the goal, it was a great save,” Odegaard acknowledged in a post-match interview with Sky Sports.
On the result itself, which saw Arsenal return to top after Manchester City won earlier in the day, the Arsenal captain said: “It was a tough one in the end but I think we played a good game. We were dominant from the start, they got a bit of momentum towards the end but we got an important three points.
"I think we played really good, controlled the game but we could have done better and not let them score like they did. They got the momentum when they got the goal, got belief back, but we did well to defend."
Asked about his goal, the Norwegian added: "I've been waiting for that one, I've been working on my finishing a lot in training so I'm happy. The last few games have been [close], but you have to be able to win in different ways. We need to keep going, keep building and keep getting the wins."
Arsenal now have a very short time to get ready for their next game, facing Aston Villa as soon as Tuesday, and a win in that one would see them take top spot into 2026. Villa take on Chelsea on Saturday evening, and so they will have a few hours’ less rest between their London double-header.
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