Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland are ‘competing’ against each other(Image: FREDRIK VARFJELL, NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal have reached a crucial point in the campaign as the heat intensifies for Mikel Arteta and his squad. The Gunners, after their FA Cup encounter with Wigan Athletic, will now switch their focus back to the Premier League.
They face an away journey to Wolves on Wednesday evening, where the table-toppers will be hoping to prevent any further slip-ups, having barely escaped a surprising draw when the teams clashed in the reverse encounter before Christmas.
Arteta’s side have appeared vulnerable in recent league outings, surrendering five points collectively against Manchester United and Brentford. This indicates there remains considerable scope for improvement as sporting director Andrea Berta devises a transfer strategy for the upcoming summer window.
Despite Manchester City lurking in position behind them, the north London outfit still command the Premier League summit. And the Daily Star Sport now delivers two of the latest news developments concerning Arsenal.
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Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has disclosed his unspoken pact with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as the Premier League title battle between the two clubs intensifies. Odegaard and Haaland are vital figures for Norway and maintain a strong friendship away from football.
Representing their respective clubs has naturally created rivalry between the pair in recent seasons. However, the Norway captain and Gunners skipper maintain their friendship won’t be affected by this season’s title battle, as they’re able to set aside club allegiances when united.
Odegaard revealed to FourFourTwo: “We’re really relaxed about it. He knows, I know, everyone knows that we’re competing against each other. That’s just the way it is. But when it comes to the national team or even outside of football, we don’t really talk about it at all.
“We’re just normal friends. We talk about other things or about the national team when we’re together. We don’t really speak about football that much. It’s very relaxed and we’re good friends and that’s how it should be.
“Whatever happens during the game stays out on the pitch. That’s one of the nice things about football. You give everything, you leave everything out there, then you move on. We focus on ourselves, on the things that we can control.”
Once this campaign concludes, Odegaard will reunite with Haaland for Norway’s World Cup campaign this summer. The nation’s impressive qualifying run and the duo’s outstanding performances helped end a 28‐year major tournament drought.
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Another Norway international teammate of Odegaard’s, Antonio Nusa, is said to be in Arsenal’s sights. According to Fussball Daten, the Gunners have sent scouts on multiple occasions to monitor the RB Leipzig winger’s performances.
The report suggests that the 20-year-old is also attracting interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle, having made the switch to the German club at the beginning of last season. However, Arsenal, who are actively seeking a left-sided winger, could persuade Leipzig to part with their asset if they table a bid ranging from £43million to £52m.
Nusa has netted seven times in 20 outings for his country and is anticipated to feature prominently at this summer’s World Cup. Should Odegaard and his compatriots enjoy a fruitful campaign in America, his valuation could well rise further.
