What Mikel Arteta spotted about ‘angry’ Martin Odegaard as Arsenal star reveals what he hasn’t been ‘good enough’ at this season

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal secured their qualification to the last-16 of the Champions League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb.

Kai Havertz starred with a goal and assist for a 9/10 performance in the Arsenal player ratings, whilst there were also impressive displays from Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli.

Rice fired Arsenal ahead inside two minutes with a ferocious finish before Havertz converted a delicious Martinelli cross in the second half. Arsenal now require one point to qualify from their final Champions League game.

Captain Martin Odegaard added gloss on the score line with a late third in stoppage time and his manager Mikel Arteta was pleased that the Norwegian managed to score his first goal from open play since April 2024.

READ MORE: Josh Kroenke spotted and Zinchenko celebration – Five things you missed in Arsenal win vs Dinamo Zagreb

Mikel Arteta believes Martin Odegaard had ‘anger’ in his celebration

Speaking to TNT Sports post-match coverage of Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb, Arteta was asked about the contributions from midfielders Rice and Odegaard and the boss revealed how pleased he was to see them both on the scoresheet.

Arteta stated: “We needed that the way we generated big chances and it was really good from Declan, really good from Martin.”

The Gunners manager then explained how he spotted something peculiar with his captain’s celebration upon sealing the victory.

Arteta explained: “The way he celebrated was like he had an anger and desire to do it more.”

Martin Odegaard believes he ‘hasn’t been good enough’ in front of goal this season

Speaking to TNT Sports post-match coverage of Arsenal v Dinamo Zagreb, Odegaard revealed his frustration at failing to score in open play since April 2024.

Odegaard stated: “We want goals from the midfield area and I haven’t been good enough in there this season but finally got a goal today.”

The Norwegian captain has scored just two goals this season and Arsenal will be hoping that he can re-discover his shooting boots as they enter the business end of the season.

If Odegaard can start finding the net on a more regular basis, it will certainly help ease the burden on striker Havertz and other forward players.