Martin Odegaard admits Arsenal’s collapse ‘will be painful for the rest of my life’ – as the Gunners captain opens up on his devastation at missing out on the title to Man City last season
- Arsenal were in pole position to win the Premier League for most of last season
- They lost form in the final weeks of the season and were overtaken by Man City
- Martin Odegaard thinks his side’s collapse will affect him for the rest of his life
Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal‘s failure to win the Premier League last season will haunt him for as long as he lives.
Mikel Arteta‘s side topped the table for the majority of the campaign and looked set to end their 19-year wait for the title.
But the team imploded in the final weeks of the season as they won just three of their last nine games, allowing Manchester City to overtake them and claim their third successive title.
Odegaard is yet to put his finger on exactly what went wrong, and has admitted it has been tough to come to terms with his side’s collapse.
‘It’s difficult, there are many things that come into play, of course,’ Odegaard told Viaplay when asked to explain why Arsenal lost form at a crucial point in the season.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard believes his side’s collapse will affect him for the rest of his life
Man City took advantage of Arsenal’s loss of form to win the league for the third year in a row
‘We competed against the team that has won it all, it was tight and even at the end, especially in the three games [that Arsenal drew], we lost momentum.
‘There are so many things that can affect the season, we were close and we must use the disappointment to go closer.
‘I think this will bother me for the rest of my life. We were very close, I almost managed to achieve my dream, I think it will be painful for the rest of my life but we have to try again next year.’
Arsenal captain Odegaard led by example last term, registering 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League to take his team to the brink of title glory.
He is happy with his campaign from an individual perspective, but feels this can’t make up for the team’s shortcomings when it mattered most.
‘This was a good season for me, I have delivered well and scored several goals,’ he continued.
‘I have been more important to the team, it’s been good but of course a tough end to the season which still hurts. So I have mixed feelings.’
Odegaard wants last season’s disappointment to fuel the Gunners in their bid to go one better next year.
Arsenal begin their campaign at home to Nottingham Forest on August 12, and will get chances to prove their title credentials as they host Manchester United, Tottenham and City in their opening eight matches.
