Martin Odegaard not getting carried away by Manchester City’s shock defeat
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is not getting carried away by Manchester City’s surprise defeat to Wolves on Saturday and insists Arsenal are only focusing on themselves ahead of next week’s showdown. The Gunners go into next Sunday’s contest as the only Premier League team yet to taste defeat so far this season, with north London rivals Spurs having lost in the Carabao Cup despite remaining unbeaten in the league.
While Arsenal were cruising to a 4-0 win away to Bournemouth, defending champions City were toiling at Molineux. Pep Guardiola’s side went behind early to a Ruben Dias own goal but levelled on the hour-mark through Julian Alvarez, only for Hwang Hee-chan to restore the home side’s lead minutes later as Wolves dug in to claim a 2-1 win.
City remain top of the Premier League table despite their defeat with one point more than both second-placed Spurs and third-placed Arsenal. But they will go to the Emirates next weekend without the likes of injured playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and suspended enforcer Rodri and off the back of a hugely disappointing result.
Arsenal Focused on Their Own Performance
Asked when he learned of City’s slip up against Wolves, a smiling Odegaard told football.london: ‘I just heard. But again, we have to focus on ourselves. This league is so tough you say that everyone can beat everyone and you have to be sharp, ready for every game and it is such a busy schedule now. So we have to focus on ourselves. Make sure we are ready for next week.’
He added: ‘I think every game is a big game. First we are in the Champions League and we have to be ready for that one and then we’ll see after that but every game for us it’s a big game.’
Manager Mikel Arteta was also asked about taking on City next week and replied: ‘I feel great we have won the game, that’s the only thing we can control, I am just thinking on that bus, how we can prepare Lens. It’s going to be a really tough match away from home on Tuesday to try to win it and City will be the next step, but it’s taking a lot of good things and move them for Tuesday and again try to make the right decision with the line-up and squad to maintain the level we are showing.’
Arsenal Ready for Showdown with Man City
With Arsenal still yet to taste defeat this season, they will be looking to take advantage of City’s slip up and extend their lead at the top of the table. The Gunners have been in impressive form this season, with Martin Odegaard leading from the front as captain. While Arsenal still have to traverse a Champions League trip to Lens on Tuesday, Odegaard is already raring to take on City and prove that they can compete with the best teams in the league.
Manager Mikel Arteta is also confident that his side can maintain their level of performance against City, and is focused on preparing his team for their Champions League trip to Lens before turning his attention to their Premier League showdown. With Arsenal’s impressive form this season, they will be looking to take advantage of City’s slip up and extend their lead at the top of the table.
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