Martin Odegaard refuses to concede the title race, insisting Arsenal will fight until the end as they look to close the gap on Liverpool, starting at Old Trafford.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after Mikel Merino of Arsenal (not pictured) scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Arsenal FC at The King Power Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Martin Odegaard insists Arsenal will fight until the final whistle of the season, refusing to concede the Premier League title to Liverpool, despite the growing points gap.
With a trip to Old Trafford looming, the Arsenal captain believes his side’s emphatic 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven could be the catalyst for a late-season surge.
“We’ll fight until the end,” said Odegaard. “That’s the mindset of everyone. We’ve been fighting three years in a row for the title, and you go a couple of years back, we were leading with a lot of points and then we finished second. It shows that everything is possible.”
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 04: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC at PSV Stadion on March 04, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
After failing to score in their last two league matches, Mikel Arteta’s side face a crucial test against Manchester United, a team languishing in mid-table and with just two wins from their last seven Premier League games at Old Trafford.
But Odegaard made it clear that Arsenal will not approach the game with fear.
“They’re not where they want to be in the table, and it’s a big club which has struggled a little bit, but we know the quality they have when they’re really on it,” he said. “But we go there to win and, yeah, we’re Arsenal and we’re not scared.”
With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz all injured, goals have been scarce for Arsenal in the league, but Odegaard believes the squad’s attacking depth will be key. Six different scorers got on the scoresheet against PSV, and the Norwegian believes that kind of collective firepower will be necessary in the coming weeks.
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 04: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates victory with teammate Gabriel after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC at PSV Stadion on March 04, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
“That’s key,” he added. “With the players we have out as well, the rest of us as players have to step up even more and I think it’s a good thing we can share the goals and hopefully we can keep doing that.”
Despite facing criticism for his own goal-scoring form, Odegaard, who struck twice in Eindhoven, remains determined to rediscover his scoring touch.
“I’m very used to people speaking about me, judging my performances, and I think I do the same myself,” he admitted. “I’m harder on myself and I know that I have not been good enough, especially in front of goal. I work hard every day to improve it, and I know I have the ability and the talent to do it. PSV Eindhoven was good and hopefully now I can do more.”
Liverpool remain firmly in control of the title race, but Arsenal, who finished last season with six consecutive wins, are looking to replicate that momentum.
Whether Arne Slot’s side falters is out of their hands, but as Odegaard says, Arsenal will fight to the end.
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