Odegaard celebration against Brighton in 2025

Ødegaard explains why Arsenal believe this season will be different

Adem Ozcan Last updated: Feb 4, 2026, 12:12 pm
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Image: IMAGO / Colorsport

Martin Ødegaard has insisted Arsenal are no longer defined by near-misses, with the club captain outlining why Mikel Arteta’s side believe this season can finally deliver silverware on multiple fronts.

Speaking after Arsenal booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a win over Chelsea, Ødegaard made clear that the ambition inside the dressing room stretches well beyond a single trophy.

Arsenal push on four fronts as belief grows

Arsenal remain active in all four major competitions and are firmly positioned as contenders across the board. They will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in next month’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley, sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League, and progressed through the Champions League group stage with a perfect record.

An FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Wigan also awaits, leaving Arteta’s side with a genuine opportunity to end their wait for silverware, which dates back to the 2020 FA Cup.

Ødegaard admitted the target is clear.

“We play to win everything. We want to win every game, every tournament, every trophy,” — Martin Ødegaard

However, the Norwegian midfielder stressed that Arsenal’s focus remains deliberately narrow.

‘Stay in the moment’ mindset under Arteta

Rather than allowing talk of quadruples or historic seasons to become a distraction, Ødegaard explained that Arsenal are consciously approaching the campaign one match at a time.

He believes competing across all competitions is a positive rather than a burden, helping to maintain sharpness and motivation throughout the squad. Rotation options and improved depth have allowed Arteta to manage minutes without sacrificing performance levels.

This marks a shift from previous seasons, where Arsenal’s momentum often faded during decisive periods.

Maturity separates this Arsenal side

Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons, repeatedly falling short in defining moments. Ødegaard believes the difference now lies in maturity and daily standards rather than tactical tweaks alone.

The captain pointed to the consistency of training-ground intensity, the depth of the squad, and the collective hunger to push through difficult phases as key indicators that this season could end differently.

With fewer structural weaknesses and greater resilience across the group, Arsenal are widely viewed as favourites to claim their first league title since the 2003–04 Invincibles campaign.

Key Insights

  • Arsenal are competing in four competitions with a Carabao Cup final secured
  • Ødegaard insists the squad’s mindset is focused on winning every match
  • Improved squad depth has eased the strain of injuries and schedule congestion
  • Maturity and consistency are seen as the key difference from previous seasons

What’s Next

Arsenal now turn their attention back to domestic league action as they look to protect their six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League. The Carabao Cup final at Wembley looms large, but Arteta is expected to maintain a game-by-game approach, rotating selectively to keep players fresh across competitions while sustaining momentum on all fronts.

Is this finally the Arsenal squad built to turn dominance into trophies, or will the pressure of competing on four fronts test their resolve once again?

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