Odegaard: “We’re going to do this” as Arsenal begin title defence against Leeds

Martin Odegaard has said that Arsenal is set for a fight in the Premier League as he told BBC, “We’re going to do this”,  just as the reigning champions prepare to face Leeds United at the Emirates. The kick-off is 12:30 pm, while domestic football returns after a long break.

The Arsenal captain has drawn inspiration from the past season’s 2-1 defeat at the Etihad from April 19, when Rayan Cherki scored first for Manchester City. After Kai Havertz equalised, Erling Haaland scored on the 65th minute and cut the gap to just three points between the clubs. Following that defeat, Arsenal had four more.

How Arsenal recovered to win the title

Arsenal recovered, however. A month later, City could only draw at Bournemouth, which confirmed Arsenal as champions with a game to spare. They closed the season at Selhurst Park on 24 May, where Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke scored in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, completing the club’s first league title in 22 years.

Five games into the new campaign, the table has started in a familiar shape. City are top, unbeaten and with maximum points from their five matches. Arsenal are second, three points behind, with four wins and a 3-0 defeat at Brighton. It means the side who slipped in April is the one setting the pace in October.

Arteta signs new deal as Odegaard talks continue

There was positive news off the pitch on Wednesday when coach Mikel Arteta signed a new contract, which will keep him at the club until 2030. “I am proud to commit my future to the club,” he stated, expressing his wish to continue working with “great human beings”. Odegaard, who has signed a deal ending in 2028, is expected to reach a new agreement shortly.

Leeds arrive unbeaten as fitness doubts linger

The Leeds side is still undefeated – lying in the fifth position of the league table. This will make it challenging for the Arsenal team that wants to cut their deficit with Manchester City. 

However, Arsenal is also looking for the fitness updates on the condition of Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis. 

Finally, Odegaard’s advice remains what it has always been after every defeat Arsenal has suffered – to regard this defeat as a note, not as a verdict. Chasing for the title is a challenging task even for a champion if one remembers that sometimes the key points may happen on the other team’s pitch.

A home win over Leeds would be a sensible start

For Arsenal, doing it again starts with not giving the gap to City a chance to grow. A home win over Leeds on Saturday would be a sensible place to begin.