Paris Saint-Germain will start as favorites to beat Arsenal in Saturday night’s Champions League final, but manager Martin Odegaard insists the Gunners will go into the game without fear
Martin Odegaard says Arsenal are not afraid of anything ahead of the big game against PSG
Manager Martin Odegaard has revealed he received a special message from Patrick Vieira and insists Paris Saint-Germain have no worries against Arsenal.
Vieira, a former Arsenal captain and one of the club’s greatest ever players, sent Odegaard a video message wishing him luck on the eve of the Champions League final. This was designed to inspire this generation to continue winning European Cups, something that even Vieira, the Invincibles and the team were unable to achieve in their glory days.
Arsenal captain Odegaard said: “Yeah, of course it was special. He’s a true club legend for everything he’s achieved. I’ve seen the videos, I’ve seen the clips, I’ve heard the stories. He’s a club legend.”
“He was a really special leader, and that was here at the club. To receive a message from him is special. Now we have a chance to do something they haven’t done before.”
“It’s great to play. I’m just looking forward to the game now. I can’t wait to play.”
That was also an important point for Odegaard. Winning the title has made us even more confident that we can beat PSG and win the Champions League.
PSG manager Luis Enrique’s team defeated Inter Milan in last year’s final and will start this time as favorites to beat Arsenal. But Odegaard says winning the Premier League, the world’s toughest league, will only strengthen his belief that they can beat the French giants. Odegaard’s message was that while people praise PSG, Arsenal also have great qualities.
“We know the quality of our team and I think we’ve shown that over a very long period of time. Winning the Premier League, which is probably the most difficult league in the world to win, gives us a lot of confidence,” Odegaard said.
“We know what we are and what we can do. Of course we play as a good team with a lot of qualities, but we completely believe in what we can do, the football we can play and the results we can get.”
“That’s our main focus, being ourselves and focusing on what we can do and what we can control. It’s a big game, but like I said, we’re ready. I have full faith in the team and everything we can do on the pitch.”
“It felt great to win the title. I think everything we’ve been through leading up to that moment made us feel so good. And to be able to do it with this group was just incredible. It was such a beautiful day and this day will stay with all of us forever.”
“So it was a special feeling and of course we get energy from that. The atmosphere and atmosphere going into this game was great and it’s another final. It’s a good atmosphere and we’re ready to go again.”
Odegaard also paid tribute to the team’s collective spirit and was asked about Victor Gökeres and his contribution this season, despite not being guaranteed a starting spot.
Odegaard and his teammates aim to win Arsenal’s first Champions League (Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC, via Getty Images)
Odegaard added: “He’s been great since he came in. I think he’s been an incredible presence for us. He’s scored a lot of goals, big goals. Not just the goals, but the way he plays, the attention he has on the pitch, he gives the rest of our team a lot of space.”
“He’s someone who gives his all every game. He works very hard and is very determined to get in front of goal and make a difference. He’s a special player and it’s great to have him.”
“It’s been a great first season for him and it’s not bad that he’s already won a trophy in his first season. There are so many leaders in this team and we really support each other. I think that’s been the key to our success, having more people taking responsibility.”
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