Martin Odegaard acknowledges that Arsenal had to demonstrate their gritty side during their significant 2-0 victory against Newcastle at St. James’ Park today.
In a fiercely contested encounter at St. James’ Park, Arsenal showcased their mettle and emerged triumphant with a 2-0 win over Newcastle. Martin Odegaard, the instrumental figure in Arsenal’s victory, acknowledged the team’s need to display their “ugly side” at times to secure the crucial three points.
With aspirations of closing the gap on league leaders Manchester City, Odegaard and his teammates understood the significance of a victory against the Magpies. Despite encountering a determined Newcastle side, Arsenal exhibited unwavering focus throughout the match.
The clash between the two teams was marked by moments of intensity, with players from both sides engaging in heated exchanges. However, Arsenal remained composed and sealed their victory when Fabian Schar inadvertently deflected Gabriel Martinelli’s cutback into his own net, extending Arsenal’s lead with twenty minutes remaining.
Reflecting on the hard-fought encounter, Odegaard admitted that the battle was a stern test for his side. Speaking to Sky Sports post-match (via BBC SPORT), he acknowledged the team’s accomplishment:
“We demonstrated something special today. Winning here is no easy feat. We had to be astute and, at times, embrace the grittier aspects of the game.”
He further emphasized the significance of this victory for a youthful Arsenal side:
“It marks a significant milestone for a team of our composition to come here and produce such a performance. It illustrates the progress we have made.”
Recalling the corresponding fixture from last season, which saw Arsenal’s hopes of securing a top-four finish dashed, Odegaard admitted that it was one of the most challenging days in his career. However, he emphasized the growth in mentality within the team, highlighting their ability to bounce back from dropping points against Manchester City and defeating Chelsea in their recent outings.
“This fixture last season was the one that saw Arsenal lose their place in the top four, and the Norwegian came clean to say the match was one of his worst days as a player.”
“Last year here was one of the toughest days of my career, to be honest. But now, after dropping points against Man City, to win against Chelsea and then come here and win shows the mentality.”
With three matches remaining, Mikel Arteta’s side aims to maintain the pressure on Manchester City. As Arsenal’s resurgence continues, City must tread carefully to prevent any further slip-ups and safeguard their position at the top of the table from the resurgent Gunners.