Arsenal ramped up their preparations for the new Premier League season by beating Leyton Orient in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners still have a number of players who haven’t yet joined up for pre-season training having travelled out for Euro 2024 and Copa America.
Mikel Arteta is putting the rest of his squad through their paces though and Saturday saw Arsenal feature in a private friendly.
League One side Leyton Orient were the opponents, taking on an Arsenal XI at London Colney.
Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners as Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe both found the net in a comfortable victory.
Arsenal will now take on Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool in the United States as the Premier League kick off draws closer.
Leyton Orient boss on Martin Odegaard
Arteta will be pleased with a stress-free victory on Saturday but certainly knows that tougher challenges are on the horizon.
Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers could be a tricky affair and Arteta will be looking for key players to step up.
Playmaker Martin Odegaard will certainly be one of them – especially after a break over the summer.
Norway didn’t qualify for Euro 2024 so Odegaard has had some valuable down time and should be fresh and ready to go for the new campaign.
Odegaard took part in a pre-pre-season training camp in Marbella earlier in June though, gearing up for another big season.
Arsenal will hope for big things from Odegaard once again and he has even left Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens impressed.
Speaking on Orient’s official website, Wellens felt that his side actually turned in an ‘excellent’ first-half performance against Arsenal.
However, Wellens saw Arsenal dominate the second period and picked out Odegaard as a shining example for the Gunners.
Wellens feels that Odegaard shows perfect body language, focus and even coaching on the pitch, believing he has the perfect blend of character, mentality and talent.
“It was a good exercise because it was the first game of this pre-season where we haven’t had most of the ball,” said Wellens. “First half, we were excellent and we had quite a few chances. Our shape was very good, our energy was good and we got pressure on the ball. We won it high up the pitch multiple times against some top, top players. The second half was more difficult and it was a bit easier for them.”
“I’m pleased with the majority of it and we thank Arsenal for inviting us down and putting a strong team out. It’s important for us to see the standards of these top teams. Someone like Martin Odegaard, you see his reactions, his body language, his focus and the way he coaches his team from on the pitch. That’s not even considering his talent, so if we can be more vocal, react better to certain situations then we’ll only improve,” he added.
Odegaard set to shine again
Arsenal are looking to finally win the Premier League title this season having come up short in back-to-back campaigns.
HITC understands that the Gunners are closing in on a new signing in Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, but Odegaard will be the man to rely on once again.
The 25-year-old was superb once again last season – even ‘mesmerising’ according to Gary Neville – bagging eight goals and 10 assists as Arsenal finished second again.
It’s not just the exceptional talent with Odegaard though as he has really thrived as captain at the Emirates Stadium.
Cesc Fabregas has hailed Odegaard as a ‘great leader’ and Wellens’ comments just show how much he continues to impress.
Odegaard looks primed to thrive again this coming season and if Arsenal are to get over the line in the Premier League title race, the Norwegian still certainly be key.
The post 'His body language...': Opposition manager simply blown away by one Arsenal player after private friendly appeared first on HITC.
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