Nerves and tension have been a huge factor at the Emirates - but Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard ready to embrace the challenge
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during training
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during training(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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Martin Odegaard insists Arsenal can handle the nerves and the pressure of the title race.
Arsenal captain Odegaard admits the players are aware of the jitters inside the Emirates as the club chases down its first Premier League title in 22 years. They are in the hunt for four trophies and Odegaard praised the “amazing” atmosphere but said the best way to quell any remaining nerves is to get over the line after several near misses.
When asked about the nerves in an interview with Men In Blazers, Odegaard said: “Well, sometimes you can feel it, obviously. As it's, a lot of people, you know, and, and you really feel that atmosphere.
“But as you say, whenever we come to the Emirates, the atmosphere is always amazing. And, you get that energy from the supporters and, of course they're going to feel, nervous at some point if we're, defending a lead or whatever.
“But, that's the part of football. And I think, you know, most of the time we just get that energy, you know, from from the stadium, and that's what we want.
“So, nerves are a part of football, and I think you just have to be able to deal with it. This level, you know, you have to just deal with it.
“And, it's a part of the game and that's all right. But most of the time when we come there the energy is unbelievable. And, and they see that onto us. So, so, yeah, that's great.
“It's something we have to embrace. And, for me personally and also for a lot of the players in the team, we've been in this title race now for, for a lot of years.
Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrate victory over Chelsea
Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrate victory over Chelsea(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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“I feel like that's given us more experience, you know, and, and we can use that, you know, every single season we've grown as a group. I think every individual has grown more experienced, more mature. And, of course, with the squad we have this year, we feel like, we're in really good place.
“We're just going to keep fighting and and keep pushing every single day. And then, yeah, we are believing in what we're doing and the squad.
“We've grown as a team, as a group. We've been through a lot. And, and the work we do every single day, I think that's the, the biggest thing, you know, I work every single day on the training ground.
“What I see every single day, you know, that's what gives me and is giving me the confidence that we're going to do it. So, yeah, it's great to be a part of that. And, and we believe that we have, we're in a good position now, and we just push on from here.”
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Odegaard insists they will not prioritise winning any particular trophy. They have reached the Carabao Cup final and are still in the FA Cup, top of the Premier League and into the Champions League knock-outs.
The Norway midfielder, who missed the Carabao Cup semi final second leg with Chelsea with a minor injury, said: “We play to win everything. We want to win every game we play, every tournament we play every trophy, you know? So, that's the mindset.
“And as I said before, I think key is to stay in the moment and, not think too much about, like, the bigger picture or too far ahead. But, I think for us is just winning every single game.
“That's our goal. So, at the moment we have to just look for the next game and, it's a good thing we're in all the competitions. That's what we want.
“And I think that's good for the squad to have that, everything to push for and, as I said, stay in the moment and, and just try to win every single game.”
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