Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has sent a strong message to his teammates ahead of their highly anticipated Premier League showdown against Manchester United. The Gunners travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, and while United have struggled for consistency this season, Ødegaard insists that Arsenal must not underestimate their opponents.
Ødegaard Aware of United’s Threat
Speaking to The Standard, Ødegaard acknowledged that Manchester United are not where they want to be in the league standings but warned that they still possess the quality to hurt Arsenal if given the opportunity.
“It’s always tough when you play them,” Ødegaard said. “I don’t think they are where they want to be in the table, but we know the quality they have when they play at their best.
“They have a lot of individual quality and when they play as a team, it’s challenging to play them.”
Despite Arsenal being in far better form this season, history has shown that matches between these two English giants can often be unpredictable.
Taking Confidence From PSV Win
Arsenal head into the game with momentum following a dominant display in the UEFA Champions League against PSV Eindhoven. Ødegaard believes that his side must carry that confidence into the trip to Old Trafford.
“It’s a big challenge for us, and we have to take the good feelings now from this game [against PSV] and what we did – especially going forward – into the next game and hopefully do more of that,” he added.
Mikel Arteta’s side were ruthless against PSV, scoring freely and showing the kind of attacking fluidity that has made them a force in both the Premier League and Champions League this season. If they can replicate that performance, United could struggle to contain them.
Arsenal’s Mentality is Clear: Go to Win
While acknowledging United’s quality, Ødegaard made it clear that Arsenal will travel to Manchester with a winning mentality.
“But we go there to win and, yeah, we’re Arsenal and we’re not scared. We will go there to win the game,” he stated confidently.
This statement highlights the transformation under Arteta, as Arsenal now approach big games with belief rather than caution. In recent seasons, the Gunners have struggled in away fixtures against top teams, but this campaign has seen them develop a stronger mentality.
Can Arsenal Make History at Old Trafford?
A victory on Sunday would not only boost Arsenal’s title hopes but also set a new Premier League record. If they win, they will become the first team in history to defeat Manchester United five times in a row in the competition.
With Manchester United struggling with injuries and inconsistency, Arsenal have a huge opportunity to make a statement. However, Ødegaard’s warning is clear—if the Gunners are to leave Old Trafford with all three points, they must respect the challenge and approach the game with full focus.