TO Martin Odegaard, Erling Haaland is just a mate in a WhatsApp group.
But the last time Arsenal met Manchester City, the Etihad goal machine was the Viking villain in a post-match flare-up which ignited the rivalry between the two clubs.
Sky SportsErling Haaland argues with Gabriel Jesus after Man City vs Arsenal in September[/caption]
Sky SportsHaaland’s ‘stay humble’ jibe sparked enormous controversy at the time[/caption]
RexMan City and Arsenal renew rivalries in Sunday’s huge showdown[/caption]
Sky SportsHaaland launched the ball at Gabriel’s head after John Stones’ late leveller[/caption]
Haaland smacked a ball into the back of Arsenal defender Gabriel’s head, then told Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’ – in a jibe which backfired as City slumped.
That clash in September was pulsating – John Stones netting a 98th-minute equaliser after ten-man Arsenal had clung doggedly to their lead, withstanding TWENTY-SEVEN previous City shots in an extraordinary second-half.
It was also the match in which Rodri sustained the knee injury which has sidelined him ever since.
And when they meet again at the Emirates on Sunday, the teams who contested the title race in the past two seasons, are both staring up at runaway leaders Liverpool.
Odegaard, who missed that 2-2 Etihad draw through injury, admits he enjoys the ‘heat’ of the rivalry with City.
Yet he claims there is no lingering animosity with Haaland – his team-mate in Norway’s national team.
“We are good friends”, said Odegaard, “Him and a few of the other boys from the national team, we have a little group chat, so we speak every now and then – not about football, just about random things.
“We haven’t spoken about the game, but he is a good friend, so I speak to him.”
AlamyHaaland and Odegaard have a WhatsApp group chat with a number of their Norway pals[/caption]
Was Odegaard shocked by his mate’s actions when it all kicked off after the final whistle at the Etihad four months ago?
“No, in games like this, the emotions are so high and the adrenaline is there,” said Odegaard.
“That’s something that can happen on the pitch and then when you walk off the pitch, then you are done with it.
“After the last two seasons, we’ve been fighting against each other for the title so that’s a natural thing.
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“I think that City and us have improved one another. The whole league is so competitive but with Man City, we have been fighting with them for the title for a few years and it makes you better. It has to get the best out of you.
“Growing up I always watched the Premier League with friends. There were some big ones – the North London Derby, the Manchester Derby and the Liverpool Derby. So it’s nice that we are now part of these big games, when you play with lots at stake.”
City hunted down Arsenal two seasons ago, then held off their challenge for the title last term.
But Haaland’s ‘stay humble’ taunt was thrown back in his face when City imploded during an astonishing run of nine defeats in 12 matches in all competitions before Christmas.
City are now unbeaten in six league games and, while a fifth straight title is surely out of reach, Odegaard is wary of their threat.
That’s something that can happen on the pitch and then when you walk off the pitch, then you are done with it.
Martin Odegaard
He said: “A lot of people would be surprised (by City’s slump) but there is still a long way to go. We have seen them before ending the season really well.
“We know the quality they have. It’s a top team, top players and it is going to be a big fight.”
Odegaard, 26, claims Arsenal still haven’t reached top gear this season and believes they remain capable of winning a trophy.
He said: “We’re in a good position but still I feel we have another gear and hopefully we can hit that top form now until the end of the season.
“We’re second in the league, we’ve got everything to play for, we finished in the top eight in the Champions League. We have to look forward and push for the goals to win the big trophies.
“When you’ve been so close, you get even more hungry, you get even more determined to do it, especially last year when we were there on the last day and really could feel it was that close.”
https://www.instagram.com/helenespilling/Odegaard became a father in early December[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/helenespilling/Odegaard tied the knot with partner Helene late last year[/caption]
Odegaard, who became a father for the first time when wife Helene gave birth to a son two months ago, admits it is his dream to lift the Premier League trophy as captain.
He said: “That is the big goal and I have been dreaming about this since I was a young kid – to win one of the big trophies and especially the Premier League was always something special growing up so this would be the biggest dream.”
Yet he is desperate to improve his own goalscoring form – having netted just once in the league this term.
Odegaard said: “It’s something that I haven’t been good enough at this season.
“I feel like I’ve been in enough situations and created a lot for others but I haven’t been clinical enough with the finishing. So that’s something that I really want to step up.”
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