Martin Odegaard:<\/b> Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has said manager Mikel Arteta\u2019s decision to extend his contract with the club has given the squad a significant lift, describing the Spaniard\u2019s achievements as 'unbelievable' and backing the new deal to raise the team\u2019s energy further.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Arteta has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Arsenal until June 2030, with the club extending its commitment to the manager following his success in ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title last season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking ahead of Arsenal\u2019s return to the Emirates Stadium against Leeds United on Saturday, Odegaard said the news of Arteta\u2019s extension had generated excitement within the squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDuring the international break we had the news that the boss has signed a new contract, and that\u2019s given everyone here such a lift. What he\u2019s done so far is unbelievable, so to see him committing to being here for even longer is a big push for everyone. For sure, it\u2019s going to lift the energy even more,\u201d Odegaard wrote in his captain\u2019s column in Arsenal\u2019s official matchday programme.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Arteta, who took charge of Arsenal in December 2019, has overseen the club\u2019s resurgence and guided them to their first Premier League title since 2003-04 last season. The Spaniard\u2019s extended stay is expected to provide continuity as Arsenal look to build on their recent success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Odegaard also expressed his excitement about returning to home action after a series of away fixtures and the international break, while acknowledging that the team needed to respond strongly following their disappointing defeat to Brighton in their previous match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur defeat to Brighton in our last game was so disappointing. We knew what to expect there; we knew what was required, but it was a really bad performance from us,\u201d the Norwegian midfielder said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe were not good enough on the day; we didn\u2019t play to our standards, and that\u2019s what you get. We have to take that punch in the face, learn from it, make sure it doesn\u2019t happen again and ensure it was a one-off,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Arsenal had played four consecutive away games before the international break, and Odegaard said the team was eager to return to the Emirates Stadium and perform in front of its supporters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe just have to come back stronger from it today when we play Leeds. We had a lot of away games last month, so it will be good to get back to the Emirates and play in front of our people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Arsenal captain acknowledged that Leeds would pose a tough challenge and stressed the importance of starting strongly and showing a marked improvement from the Brighton performance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe need to be on it from the first whistle and make sure that we show our true selves and a different version than the last game,\u201d Odegaard said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also thanked Arsenal supporters for their backing during the team\u2019s recent run of away fixtures, expressing hope that their energy at the Emirates would help the side secure the victory they were seeking.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe need to be on it from the first whistle and make sure that we show our true selves and a different version than the last game,\u201d Odegaard said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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