Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has praised the mentality of his teammates to comeback from one goal down to win at the Emirates in their first Premier League match back from the World Cup break.
After six weeks of no Premier League action, England’s top clubs returned to the pitch to battle it out for the most prestigious club trophy in the country. League leaders Arsenal had the uphill task of proving that their current form and table position is not a fluke against a West Ham United side that were desperate to get back to winning ways.
The Hammers started strong and put the ball in the back of the net only 27 minutes after the kickoff whistle and Arsenal struggled in front of their fans to make something of their attacks.
Ødegaard eventually kick-started the comeback when his shit landed at the feet of Bukayo Saka, who slotted home to draw Arsenal level. Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah scored the other two goals to send the Emirates into a frenzy and give the fans renewed hope that Mikel Arteta’s men could conjure up a miracle that is almost 20 years in the making.
The Norwegian midfielder, whose two assists and incredible performance saw him take home the man of the match award, spoke to Arsenal TV after the match.
He praised his teammates and their mentality to fight back from a losing position to play a brilliant game for the fans who had not seen them in over six weeks.
Starting off with Arteta’s words to the team at half time, Ødegaard said: “I think we just said, ‘keep on playing, keep on believing, keep doing the same things.’ A few adjustments, but I think we played pretty good in the first half as well.
“Just lacked the goal and they scored out of nothing. But I think we played well, and we kept on doing a lot of the same things. And then we got more space in the second half. I think they were tired in the end, so brilliant, brilliant performance.”
Ødegaard did not go to the World Cup as Norway failed to qualify. But while the tournament was on, he and the others who did not make it to the tournament did some work to keep their momentum up as they supported their teammates who were at Qatar.
Speaking on how the break helped them, the Arsenal captain said: “I think the work we’ve done. We’ve had a few players in the World Cup, but the ones who have been here have been working so hard. We had a really great camp in Dubai, some good games there and hard work really.
“I think everyone is hungry to come back and prove that we’re good enough to be where we are. So hard work and a lot of commitment to the club.
Asked about his man of the match performance, he answered, “I felt good today. I think the whole team was good. I had some more rest than other players, not being in the World Cup. So I think I’ve used that in a good way and I felt good.”
He also found time to praise Nketiah for his goal which effectively killed off the game and handed Arsenal the win.
Nketiah is currently replacing Gabriel Jesus in the squad following the Brazilian’s injury at the World Cup. Many doubt his ability to fill in properly for Jesus but he proved he can with a very brilliant goal in the 69th minute.
“It was a great goal,” Ødegaard said. “I think the whole build up was good and the way he turns in the box and the finish. I’m really, really happy for him to come in and do a performance like this. So, so happy for him.”
