Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard insists the team is still 'hungry' for success despite slipping behind Liverpool in the title race. He believes the squad has sufficient quality if they fail to sign a new signing this month.
The Gunners are six points behind the Reds at the top of the Premier League after their frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, which saw Mikel Arteta's men squander a 2-0 lead.
Liverpool, meanwhile, secured a last-gasp 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest and are favorites to win their first Premier League title since 2020.
Arsenal have also been knocked out of the FA Cup in recent weeks as they trailed 2-0 on aggregate to Newcastle ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but they bounced back on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb .
Odegaard, who scored the third goal against the Croatian side, claims the team is undeterred and is still hungry despite some disappointments. It comes amid an injury crisis that has wiped out some of their key players such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
“Results always affect the mood a little bit, but I think it was good,” he said after their Champions League victory. “Everyone just wants to get better. Every time we drop points, everyone comes in the next day even hungrier and even more ready to go again. I think that's the mentality, always one more, always have to be better and that it's good to see.”
The injuries have prompted fans to call in new reinforcements, especially up front after losing Saka, Jesus and youngster Ethan Nwaneri in recent weeks. Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are two players linked with a move, but Odegaard believes the squad has enough talent to get by even if no signings come in.
The Gunners managed to get Nwaneri and defender Riccardo Calafiori back into the squad for their win over Zagreb and the Norwegian playmaker insists there is reason for optimism.
He added: “I think with the injuries we have fallen a bit short but if you look at the team we have so much quality so if we can keep everyone fit then that is the most important thing and we have to concentrate on the players who are.” here. [Against Zagreb] We all did well.”
Arteta had special praise for Odegaard after the match, praising his “angry” celebration after a difficult season in which he scored just once in the Premier League and failed to score in Europe.
“His first goal [and] He really needed that,” the Spaniard said. “You could tell by the way he celebrated it that he had a rage and a desire to do it, so overall a very positive evening.”
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