Martin Odegaard determined to play bigger role as Arsenal chase more success

By Phil Blanche, Press Association

Martin Odegaard has described how last season’s struggle with injury has made him stronger.

Odegaard lifted the Premier League trophy in May – his first silverware since he joined Arsenal in 2021 – but it was often a difficult campaign on a personal note with knee, shoulder and muscle problems limiting his role.

The Norway midfielder made just 16 league starts and missed the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, a defeat Arsenal avenged on Sunday by winning the Community Shield season curtain-raiser 3-0.

“Last year was really a big struggle with a lot of difficult moments,” Odegaard said after capping an outstanding individual display in Cardiff with his first club goal since December.

“It is the worst thing for a footballer to not be able to be on the pitch and I had quite a lot of weird injuries, and bad luck.

“It was good for me to end the season with a title here and then a good World Cup. Then I had my break and I feel good, ready to go again.

“Last season, to miss so many games because of injury was really frustrating. What I have just worked on is to use that as motivation for this year and to come back stronger.

“To use all of those experiences in a positive way. Hopefully I can do that.”

Arsenal put down an impressive marker in the Welsh capital against opponents expected to be their biggest Premier League title rivals.

Odegaard has also struck up an instant relationship with Bruno Guimaraes, whose £75million arrival from Newcastle has added further to Arsenal’s deep midfield resources.

The 27-year-old said: “Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing.

“Although we had some big fights with him in the past, he has just come into the team as a real natural part of the team. He can win the ball, he’s a fighter.

“But he also has so much quality and is calm on the ball. He always takes the right amount of time and he finds the pass.

“The connection is already there, you can see, it has been really easy.

“Of course, last year we won the league, but this year we want more. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies.”

It was a nightmare start for new City boss Enzo Maresca after replacing Pep Guardiola over the summer, and news later emerged the club have accepted a bid of £65.4m from Barcelona for Spain midfielder Rodri.

Defender Ruben Dias told TNT Sports: “It is the beginning of the season, it is not good enough.

“It’s part of any transition for things to be not so perfect in the beginning.

“You need to push through, you need to communicate, and make things work between us.”