Martin Odegaard has urged his Arsenal teammates to ‘stay calm’ in the title race after Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester City. Arsenal fell from the top of the Premier League table for the first time since August, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland sending the Blues top on goal difference – albeit having played a game more. While in isolation a defeat against City is of little alarm, Mikel Arteta’s side are now winless in four games across all competitions and have seen a strong lead evaporate. Inevitable questions have surfaced as to whether the North London side can cope with the pressure of a title race, especially given City’s vast experience in holding their nerve. But speaking after the defeat, Gunners talisman Odegaard urged calm among the camp.
Martin Odegaard said: “We know there’s a long way to go, we’ve said it after every game we’ve won. We have to stay calm, keep working hard and take it game by game. It’s the same now when you lose, we need to just come back on Saturday and get a win again, that’s all that matters. The good thing is that the next one comes around very quickly. Just change the chip, look for the next one and come back.”
Despite surrendering the majority of possession and territory, City were clinical in pouncing on Arsenal mistakes. De Bruyne’s looped opener came off a poor back-pass from Takehiro Tomiyasu while Grealish’s finish was a result of the fallout that came when Gabriel lost possession in his own half. That deathly finishing was lacking at the other end, with Eddie Nketiah missing several opportunities to find the net. And Odegaard added that with both teams so closely matched across the pitch, matches can be decided in either 18-yard box.
Martin Odegaard added: “The game is decided in the boxes and we were not sharp enough, in front of the goal and in our own as well. They were better. Apart from that, we played a good game, did many good things and had many good periods, but we have to be better in the boxes. It is football. Sometimes chances go in, sometimes not. But that is where we need to improve and be more clinical and defend our box. That is not just about one player, but the whole team. As we have said all season, work hard and take it game by game. It is the same now. It is one game we have lost here today and now we look to the next one. A new game on Saturday and we must come back and win.”
