Martin Odegaard Arsenal
How does the pitch impact the way you approach the game tomorrow?
The biggest mistake we can make is to talk too much about the pitch, the weather or whatever. For us the most important thing is just to come here and win the game. That’s all that matters. We’re not going to focus too much on the pitch. Obviously it’s a bit different and we have to adjust a little bit, but it’s still football, still the same rules. So we’re going to go out and win the game and that’s the only important thing for us.
What’s different to last season in the team?
It’s just us becoming better as a team. We all understand what Mikel wants from us even more, we work hard every day to improve, everyone understands the system and the style. We’re working hard to improve on the principles and of course we’ve got some new players in who have brought a lot of quality. The main thing is the work we do on the training pitch.
It’s 10 years since you made your senior debut aged 13. What are your memories of that day?
I remember it well. I was a kid. I said earlier, I feel young today and it’s like ten years ago now. I was a kid. It was a good time. I was playing football, having fun, I just enjoyed life doing what I love. Everything went really quick and it was fun.
Have you played in Norway as a club player since going to Madrid?
I’ve played for the under-21s and the national team but it’s been a while now since I played here.
What do you make of the reception from the fans here?
Yeah there was a lot of kids outside, I think they were training on the pitch next to the stadium. It’s good to see the reception and hopefully we will see them tomorrow, I think the atmosphere will be brilliant again and I think the fans here are really good, they did a good job at the Emirates as well, so looking forward to the game and the atmosphere and hopefully it’ll be good to watch.
What do you look for as a captain that has helped the team start games quickly?
Same as always really. I think the same mindset as always. We always want to affect the game and start strong. We always want to do that so we’ll try to do that again and, I said before, we’ll do the same things.
Is this the best football of your career that you’re playing now?
Yeah I think so. I think I’ve developed a lot the last few years. I’ve always been good on the ball but I feel like I’m developing different sides of my game now as well without the ball and hope to improve and affect the game in different ways. So I feel like I’m doing well and when the team’s doing well it’s easier for me as well. I’m really happy to be part of this team and the project and happy where we are at the moment but we want more too.
Do you feel freed by the captaincy because it weighs on some players?
I haven’t thought too much about it to be honest, try to do the same things, try to help the team as much as possible and I enjoy the responsibility and just try to do the best thing for the team always and hopefully that’s it.
