News

Odegaard on his Xmas Day and Gabby's goal glut

Martin Odegaard during the game against Crystal Palace

Before every game at Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard lifts the lid on the mood in the camp via his captain’s notes published in the matchday programme.

Ahead of tonight's game against Ipswich Town, the skipper discusses Gabriel Jesus' hot streak, how he spent Christmas and why we won't be taking the Tractor Boys lightly, especially at this time of the year.

I want to start these notes by wishing everyone a happy holiday and a healthy new year ahead. Hopefully our results against Crystal Palace would have helped put some smiles on faces too! 

I think we played really well over those two games, against a team that was in good form, and we had to show different sides of our character. We showed patience and came back in the second half in the Carabao Cup game, and everyone was so happy for Gabby getting his hat-trick. 

He really deserved that, because he has had a frustrating time in the last few months, but has kept working and has been doing really well in training. He took those goals brilliantly and you could see the confidence that has given him. Gabby got two more against Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, and it’s great to see him with a smile on his face on the pitch.

Christmas is always different in football because we play so many games at this time of year, but we managed to get together as a squad a couple of weeks ago – all the players and our partners and families – so that was really nice. Also because we are playing on the 27th rather than yesterday, it meant we had some time off on Christmas Day as well to be at home. It was a special time for me this year, our baby’s first Christmas. I don’t think he realised too much! But it was special time to have our first Christmas together.

This was my fourth Christmas in England so I’m used to the schedule at this time of year now. Before in my career I’d always go home at this time, but this year I was able to have my family come over to visit and stay with me instead, so we had a nice time.

We take on Ipswich tonight, I’ve watched them a few times this season and they definitely have quality. They’ve been unlucky in a few games, but have got some big results as well, so we know they are a strong side. When teams come up from the Championship, they always have that extra motivation when they play the big teams near the top of the table and we expect them to be really up for this tonight.

We’ll be without Bukayo and Raheem for a few weeks now, and together with the other lads that are currently injured, we’ll all be supporting them during their recoveries. This is part of football, and of course I’ve been out this season, so I can really relate with them at the moment. They will come back stronger and we’ll be with them all the way.

When there is a busy schedule like this, you always see a few surprise results in the Premier League. Some teams are tired, so teams will be missing players, so it’s important for us to approach the game in the right way, prepare well, execute on the pitch and make sure we are fully locked in.

Read the rest of Martin's notes, as well as a host of other fantastic content, by buying the Arsenal v Ipswich Town programme either around the stadium or online - or get a subscription to receive every edition through your door.