Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard expressed his immense satisfaction with the team's dominant 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash. Ødegaard, who played a pivotal role in the match, scored two goals and provided an assist, guiding his side to a crushing win that places them in a strong position heading into the return leg at home next week.
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In his post-match interview with Amazon Prime, Ødegaard reflected on the importance of the result, especially in light of recent performances. "Particularly after the last few matches, we really needed this kind of performance," he said. "It was a great start, and we finished strong. We delivered a fantastic attacking display, creating plenty of chances and taking our opportunities to score. Of course, conceding one goal is something we’d have preferred to avoid, but overall, it was an excellent team performance, and we’re very pleased with the result."
The match against PSV came after a period of tough fixtures for Arsenal, and Ødegaard acknowledged the team's determination to improve. "We didn’t change too much in terms of our preparation," he explained. "We work hard every day, and after the performances against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, we knew we had to be better, especially in front of goal. We focused a little more on finishing our chances, but our overall approach remained the same. We always work hard, and tonight everything just clicked, and we played as we wanted."
One of the key aspects Ødegaard highlighted was the team's increased focus on converting chances. "After the recent games, we knew that finishing was an area we had to improve," he admitted. "We know we have the quality in the squad, and as you saw tonight, when we create so many chances at this level, it’s a lot of fun to take advantage of them. It was great to see us capitalize on nearly every opportunity."
Ødegaard's two goals in the game marked a significant milestone in his campaign. Reflecting on his personal contribution, he said: "Every player in my position always wants to influence the game with goals and assists. It’s something I’ve been working hard on this season, and although I haven’t been as prolific as I’d like, tonight’s two goals and assist feel like a step in the right direction for me."
The Arsenal captain also took the time to praise the club's younger players, many of whom have been key contributors in recent matches. "The young players are playing as though they’ve been here for years," he remarked. "They’ve got a lot of talent, confidence, and are ready for this level of competition. I’m not worried about them at all—they bring a lot of energy to the team, and we enjoy having them around. Their attitude is fantastic, and they show no fear when stepping up in big moments."
One player who had a challenging night was Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was substituted after picking up a yellow card. Ødegaard shared his thoughts on the young midfielder’s performance, saying: "He handled the situation very well. He knew it was a difficult position for him, having received a yellow card and facing a tough challenge. But we are all here to support him, and I’m confident he will learn from this experience and grow stronger because of it."
With their dominant win in Eindhoven, Ødegaard and Arsenal will now look to finish the job at home in the second leg, with one foot firmly planted in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The team’s attacking prowess and overall performance were a testament to their strength, and Ødegaard’s leadership was central to t
heir success.
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