Before every home game at Emirates Stadium, Martin Odegaard gives fans a look inside the dressing room through his captain’s notes in the matchday program.
Heading into our matchup with Fulham, the skipper reflects on last weekend’s victory over Newcastle, the strong atmosphere at the training ground, and the impressive contributions from Piero Hincapie in his first season with the club. Here’s a look at what he had to say:
Since the final whistle blew on Wednesday, we’ve been fully focused on today’s game and finding ways to secure all three points.
The energy around the training ground is excellent right now. I think everyone feels like we’re close to something really big, and that gives us extra drive and motivation in every session.
We picked up a solid result last weekend at Emirates Stadium against Newcastle. It was a tough, physical battle, but the priority was always to get the win, and we handled it well. Newcastle are a strong, organized team with plenty of quality, so there are moments when they control the ball, but I thought we managed the game nicely and came away with another important three points.
At this point in the season, it’s fantastic to lean on our defensive solidity. Keeping another clean sheet was crucial, and it highlights one of our biggest strengths—we know we’re rock solid at the back. In this league, a clean sheet often sets you up perfectly for victory, and that’s exactly what happened last weekend.
Of course, we would have liked to score a few more goals, but the main goal was to win, and we achieved that. The way the whole team defended was outstanding, and it’s great to see players like Piero Hincapie making such a strong impact in his debut season.
From the moment he arrived, he brought massive energy and competitiveness. He gives everything in every training session and every match. You can see how much he puts into it—he’s aggressive, excellent on the ball, and a complete defender. He’s been a fantastic addition to the squad. To perform at this level right away in his first season in the league is impressive.
The goal was another excellent finish from Ebs—it’s another big one he’s delivered for us. We work hard in training to create and convert chances, and last weekend’s strike was a perfect example of that.
We’ve scored plenty from set pieces, but it’s not just about whipping the ball into the box. There are different ways to approach it, and we want to be effective in all areas. The work on the training ground really paid off for that goal, and it’s always a great feeling when it comes together.
I know it might have been nerve-wracking for fans watching at the end, but it’s actually easier to handle when you’re out there playing. You’re so locked into your role and what you need to do that you don’t have time to think about anything else—you just focus on your job and give it everything.
Read the full version of Martin’s notes, plus plenty of other great content, by picking up the Arsenal v Fulham program around the stadium or online.