Martin Odegaard exclusive: Arsenal ‘can’t get emotional’ ahead of Premier League title showdown - ‘Our task is clear’

The 2023/24 Premier League title race will reach its conclusion on Sunday, with both Manchester City and Arsenal still in contention following a thrilling season-long battle.

Pep Guardiola’s side lead the table by two points and are in control of their own destiny heading into the final weekend of the season. A victory against West Ham United would confirm their status as champions for a record fourth consecutive year.

However, if Man City fail to collect three points, Arsenal can eclipse them - as long as they beat Everton at Emirates Stadium live on TNT Sports - which would seal their first top-flight title since 2004.

Ahead of the decisive weekend, Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has said that his side “can’t get too emotional” as the North London club hope to end a 20-year wait for the trophy.

“Obviously, you look at the results and we were hoping,” Odegaard told TNT Sports, referencing Man City’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday which took them top of the table ahead of the final game.

“We spoke about it the day after and we have to focus on ourselves, we can’t get too emotional about it. We have one more game, at home, it’s the last game of the season and our goal and our task is clear, we have to win that. 

“We’ll see what happens. That’s our mindset now, win that last game, give the fans a good last game and we’ll see. It’s out of our control and as I said, we just focus on our game.”

It is the second successive year Arsenal have been engaged in a battle for the title with City. 

Last season, The Gunners’ progression under Mikel Arteta shocked many in the game as they pushed Guardiola’s side nearly all the way after finishing outside of the top four in the six seasons prior.

Arsenal ran out of gas and came up short in their bid for the crown, and were made to settle for second place and a long-awaited return to UEFA Champions League football.

Odegaard feels the team have come on in leaps and bounds since this time last year.

“I would say amazing,” the 25-year-old said on how he feels Arsenal have performed this campaign. “We’ve taken good steps and I feel like we’re a much better team compared to last season. 

“We’ve had some really good games, some good results, and we are now there until the last day, to push for it.”

Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 before making his move to London a permanent one later that year in the summer transfer window.

In July 2022, Arteta made Odegaard club captain and the Norwegian led his side to a memorable campaign in his first season as skipper, as The Gunners led the table for ​​248 days before narrowly losing out to City.

Fast forward another year, Arsenal are in the mix for the title as the final day approaches and Odegaard can become the first Arsenal captain since Patrick Vieira to lift the iconic trophy, should results on Sunday go their way.

“I don’t know if I saw myself being captain that quickly,” Odegaard said, reflecting on his time at Arsenal so far.

“But I saw a lot of potential in the team, I believed in what we were doing, the project and everything. I knew when I came here we were going to get better and better and fight for things, that’s the reason why I came here. 

“I wanted to be a part of the project and was so sure we were going to get to the highest level. We’re there now and pushing until the last day to win it. We’re doing well and hopefully, we’ll see it happen, and if not, very soon.”

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Arsenal v Everton will be live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 15:00 UK time on Sunday, May 19 ahead of kick-off at 16:00.

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