Bruno Guimaraes was heavily praised by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after his hand in helping the Gunners win the Community Shield
Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard are already mastering their new Arsenal connection
Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard are already mastering their new Arsenal connection(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Martin Odegaard has lauded ‘fighter’ Bruno Guimaraes as Arsenal target multiple trophies following their FA Community Shield victory.
The Gunners put three goals past Manchester City in Cardiff with the club captain finding the back of the net early in the second half. For the first time since Guimaraes’ arrival the pair started together in the midfield and looked like the partnership had already gelled seamlessly.
“It was really good, really natural,” Odegaard replied when asked about how they had meshed together. “Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing.
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“Although we had some big fights with him in the past, he has just come into the team as a real natural part of the team, and you can see his quality.
“He can win the ball, he’s a fighter, but he also has so much quality on the ball. He is so calm on the ball.
“He always takes the right amount of time and he finds the pass. It’s brilliant. Christos [Tzolis], as well, it is good to have new players perform like that already.”
One of the criticisms Odegaard has faced in the last two seasons relates to how deep he can often drop, vacating his advanced midfield position to take responsibility for progressing the ball from his own half.
The arrival of the former Newcastle United captain has appeared to have already solved this issue, and Odegaard believes there is already an understanding between them.
“It has been so natural,” he reiterated. “The connection is already there - and you can see that.
“He is a top player. From the first second he is in training you can feel that presence and quality. It has been really easy to connect with him. He is a brilliant player. I am looking forward to it.”
Arsenal might have won the league, but it did not come without scrutiny and their approach was often highlighted as a point of contention. Odegaard’s absence through four separate injuries last season was no doubt a contributing factor, but the skipper believes that the club’s style will be fluid and change depending on the challenge.
“It depends on the games, the opponents,” Odegaard said when asked if Arsenal will be more direct this season. "We can play in so many different ways.
“We can score in different ways. That is one of our strengths - that we are versatile.
“We can adapt and create problems for other teams in many different ways, and also defend. We are looking forward to getting going now and having a good season.”
The focus however is on winning yet more silverware having got a taste for metal over the last few months. Putting three past Manchester City in the Community Shield might not garner praise from the club’s toughest critics, but it is by no means something to dismiss.
Odegaard stated the team wanted to demonstrate their quality and are yearning for more medals this season.
“We wanted to show our level," he said. "Of course, last year we won the league. But this year we want more. There is a lot more to play for. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies. There is a lot to work for and still a lot of room for improvement."