What Martin Odegaard just said ahead of Arsenal trip to Dubai proves the title race is far from over

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Arsenal are on their way to Dubai for a mid-season training camp, something Martin Odegaard is looking forward to.

After the successes from Arsenal’s trip to Dubai last season, it’s no wonder that Mikel Arteta is taking his squad on another mid-season break.

The Gunners will spend six days partaking in hot-weather training in the hope of returning rejuvenated, just as they did last year.

Sadly, Arteta won’t be leaving England with a spring in his step as Arsenal crashed out of the Carabao Cup, losing humiliatingly to Newcastle over two legs.

• READ MORE: Arsenal squad for Dubai trip confirmed including Bukayo Saka and academy star Max Dowman

Martin Odegaard previews Arsenal’s trip to Dubai

The mood in the squad will be lower than usual given the manner in which the Gunners lost at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.

With a clear objective of a two-goal deficit to overturn, Arsenal fluffed their lines and instead lost 2-0 again, falling to an eye-watering 4-0 loss on aggregate.

It could’ve been so different as captain Martin Odegaard had the chance to score early but, after the lows of the defeat, the midfielder already has his mind on future success.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Odegaard previewed the squad’s trip to Dubai, hoping for a similar result from the camp as last term. 

“I think it will be good, it’s been a busy schedule, a lot of games and very intense, so it will definitely be good to go away and get the energy high again, come back stronger and push for the big things until the end of the season.”

The skipper went on to insist that the Arsenal squad will head to Dubai with the goal of returning at a higher level, referencing 2024 once again.

“Last year I think we came back so strongly afterwards. I think it’s good in the middle of the season with so much going on, so we have to go there and make sure we get a good amount of rest, work hard as well.”

Odegaard’s words will bring a new sense of belief to Arsenal fans, who are more than aware of the results that the mid-season break can bring.

Where Arsenal were before 2024 Dubai break

Injured stars Ben White and Bukayo Saka travelled to Dubai, with Arteta taking the entire squad with him to the Middle East to recuperate.

Arsenal fans will be eagerly awaiting the squad’s return after what happened last season, with Odegaard forecasting a similar impact.

Last term, Arsenal went to Dubai sitting fourth in the Premier League, five points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Upon returning, the Gunners went on a remarkable streak, winning 16 out of 18 games, scoring 53 times and conceding only nine.

If the trip can go as efficiently as it did last year, then there’s no need to rule the Gunners out of the title race, with Liverpool poised six points ahead at present. 

For now, fans will hope that Arteta can rouse his players to replicate their near-perfect run last year, something that could finally deliver Arsenal the Premier League title.