Former Arsenal captain and legend Tony Adams met with current captain Martin Odegaard ahead of the Gunners’ heavyweight fixture against Manchester City in the Premier League.
Tony Adams, who won four league titles with Arsenal between 1992 and 2002, racking up 669 appearances in the process, discussed his title winning seasons with Odegaard and gave the skipper some advice ahead of our trip to the Etihad.
Arsenal are currently holding a five-point lead at the top of the table, but disappointing results in the last three matches have clouded the club, despite not losing their last ten matches in the league.
With six games remaining before the end of the season, Arsenal’s lead heading to Manchester is tight, with the Citizens having two outstanding matches.
In an interview with the Norwegian midfielder, he says it was difficult for him and his teammates during their first title win, but advised Odegaard to ‘relax’ ahead of the game tonight.
“It’s difficult, going back to my first title – six games to go, that’s all you’ve got,” Tony Adams said. “You win six of them and you’re champions. I know from personal experience, I can identify with what you’re going through lately and if there’s any comfort it’s not going to be the decider, there are a lot of twists and turns.
“I’ll always remember my first title in 1989, Liverpool were 19 points behind us in February, and they went top with three games to go. We had to go to Anfield like you’re going to the Etihad and actually win, which really made up our minds about it. What am I trying to tell you? Relax, it’s a game at a time but it’s a massive game.”
He added:
“From my experience, these games take care of themselves, they’re such big occasions that you just get up for it and you go and play, and it will be what it will be. We’ve got the talent, and I think the stability of the back four has been incredible, we’ve missed [William] Saliba but Rob [Holding] has come in and done brilliantly and there’s no reason he can’t do brilliantly against City.”
Tony Adams and Martin Odegaard talk title races (Image credit: Arsenal.com)
While Odegaard shares his disappointment with the last three games, he believes the title is still in our hands.
“Of course, a bit disappointed after the last few games, but everything is still in our hands and we have a big game coming up so we’re all just excited and looking forward to Wednesday and take it from there. The spirit is good, even though we haven’t had the results lately, the spirit is good and the confidence is still there.”
Martin Odegaard was appointed Arsenal captain before the beginning of the season. He has led a youthful Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, with sights on the title.
Odegaard has led from the front, scoring twelve times and providing seven assists this season in the league. His numbers are only behind top scorer Gabriel Martinelli (15 goals and 5 assists) and Bukayo Saka (13 goals and 11 assists).
The 24-year-old says there is still much to play for before the end of the season, irrespective of the result at the Etihad tonight.
“No matter what happens on Wednesday there is still so much to play for. Both teams have so many tough games after, so it’s not like a final, but of course it’s an important game, it’s important to get the momentum. As I said, the team is confident, even though we didn’t win the last three games now I think the team is confident. I feel like we can go there and do something.
“I think the last few games against them we’ve shown some really good things, especially the game at home, I think we were the better team to be honest, it gives us a good feeling going into the game.”
Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City tonight kicks off at 8pm.
