Martin Odegaard has issued a rallying cry to his Arsenal team-mates after they suffered a 3-2 Premier League home defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday
Ryan Taylor
13:00, 26 Jan 2026
Martin Odegaard
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Martin Odegaard has called for calm after Arsenal were beaten by Manchester United on Sunday(Image: )
Martin Odegaard insists Arsenal are not being crippled by the pressure of three successive second-place finishes.
Instead, the Gunners captain is adamant Mikel Arteta's squad must use those experiences as fuel to regain their composure in the Premier League title race following Sunday's home defeat to Manchester United.
Odegaard said when asked if both he and his team-mates are being haunted by their previous shortcomings: "Obviously it is a factor but it can be a good factor as well. I think it gives you more fuel, and more hunger and determination to get it done.
"I think we have experienced in all those seasons that it is a long run and a lot of things happen. We need to be together now, look for the next game and bounce back."
The Norwegian playmaker, who was hooked by Arteta in a rare quadruple substitution on 58 minutes, claims he did not feel the anxiety in the stands at the Emirates Stadium.
The tetchy home atmosphere in N5 - where fans have been on tenterhooks - has become a growing problem in recent weeks and that nervousness now appears to be affecting the team.
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Skipper Odegaard is refusing to point fingers and has instead called for unity, explaining: "I didn’t feel that [nervous energy], to be honest. "I was so focused on the game, I think there were definitely things we should have done better on the pitch. "But it is time to be together now, it was never going to be easy as it is tough in this league. "We just have to keep working and keep going. We are still top of the league and we will keep pushing each other - and be together now."
Former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira called Arsenal's mental toughness into question in the Sky Sports studio after they shipped three goals for the first time since December 2023 (121 games ago).
Odegaard believes Arsenal, who remain four points clear, have what it takes to prove their doubters wrong.
Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by Man Utd
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Arsenal have not won in their past three Premier League matches(Image: )
He continued: "It is a long run and there is a long way to go. Obviously, we are very disappointed with today and we should have won this game.
"But that’s football and there are going to be ups and downs. Now it is about how we deal with that and the key thing is to be together and work hard.
"Focus on the next game, win that, and go from there. We are still top of the league. We are still in a good position but obviously everyone feels disappointed with today."
"Let’s be in the moment. Look for the next game, bounce back and be together now. That is all we are going to do."
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