Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has provided an insight into the mentality of Mikel Arteta’s team ahead of hosting Manchester City straight after losing away to RC Lens.
The Gunners fell to their first defeat of the season on Wednesday night after going 10 games unbeaten this term. Arsenal also started this campaign with a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield. But the stakes will be much higher this weekend.
Any win at Emirates Stadium could move Arteta’s team atop the Premier League table. Just a point currently separates Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of Sunday’s key tussle. Yet Pep Guardiola is still to lose a top-flight tie to his old mentee, winning in eight of their 10 clashes.
Odegaard offers an insight into Arsenal’s mentality ahead of hosting Man City
Odegaard sees the visit of Manchester City to Emirates Stadium as a perfect chance to reply to Arsenal’s midweek defeat. The Gunners skipper also believes Arteta’s squad must go into the game ready to deliver a response and show they have learnt from losing 2-1 at RC Lens.
“We have to keep going, learn from [the defeat] and make sure we bounce back in the next game,” Odegaard emphasised, via quotes by 90min. “That’s all we can do now, [we] to have to move on and learn from it. That’s it. Every game is [the perfect chance to bounce back].
“But, of course, it’s a big game coming up and, I think, everyone is excited. It will be a good game to play. So, we have to look forward and make sure we’re ready and sharp on Sunday.”
Man City will mark Arsenal’s first chance to put Odegaard’s words into action
Manchester City’s visit to north London marks Arsenal’s first opportunity to put Odegaard’s words into action. The Emirates Stadium faithful will certainly also hope to see Arteta’s side show a response. It would be very damaging to their title hopes if the Gunners were to lose.
Only five points separated the champions, Manchester City, and the runners-up, Arsenal, in the Premier League table last season. The Citizens also handed the Gunners two of their six defeats for the term. Guardiola’s squad won 3-1 at the Emirates, then 4-1 at Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners could struggle to live up to Odegaard’s words after Saka’s injury
It may be hard for Arteta to oversee his first Premier League win against Guardiola, though. Fears are still rife in north London that Bukayo Saka will not be available when Arsenal host Manchester City due to injury. The winger suffered a hamstring injury in the loss at RC Lens.
Even Arteta fears Saka’s injury is a serious problem in what is a huge blow for the Gunners. He is their talisman alongside captain Odegaard and is crucial for their attacking efforts. He leads the north Londoners with five goals and five assists in 10 games so far this campaign.
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