Martin Odegaard Urges Arsenal to 'Stick Together'

Martin Odegaard calls on Arsenal to 'stick together' as they prepare for a crucial Champions League match against PSG.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has called on his teammates to “stick together” as they face a crucial Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. After recent setbacks, Odegaard urged the team to harness their “rage” and “anger” to revitalize their season.

Arsenal faces a daunting task at the Parc des Princes, needing to defeat PSG to reach the Champions League final for just the second time in their history. The Gunners will look to overcome the odds and make a memorable comeback in their bid to reach the final.

Arsenal faces an uphill battle after losing the first leg 1-0 to PSG, thanks to Ousmane Dembele's winner in London. PSG have been in impressive form, having eliminated Liverpool and Aston Villa en route to the semifinals.

Arsenal, who have never lifted the Champions League trophy, are on the verge of being eliminated by PSG, adding to the French side's recent successes against English teams. The first leg didn't go well for Arsenal, and they could have lost by a wider margin.

Giving everything we've got.

All the images from our final Sobha Realty Training Centre session ahead of PSG 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 6, 2025

Arsenal's preparations for the second leg were further disrupted by a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday. According to Mikel Arteta, the team is fueled by “rage and anger” following two tough losses, which could potentially drive them to make a strong comeback in Paris.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard believes the team's current disappointment can be channeled into fuel for a potential victory over PSG. “We're disappointed now, but we have to move on and be strong and stick together and prepare for a massive game,” Odegaard said. “It's a massive game. That's the good thing. When you're disappointed now and you're angry and frustrated, you can use all those emotions into Wednesday. We know what we're playing for. We have to stick together and create energy and be ready.”

Mikel Arteta's decision to make only two changes against Bournemouth raised concerns about risking key players' fitness. Only Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino didn't play against the Cherries, with Timber's availability for the PSG match pending a fitness test.

A Massive Performance Awaits

Arsenal's focus is on the Champions League, but securing qualification for next season's tournament is still a priority, requiring two wins from their last three league games. The pressure to win a first title since 2004 weighs heavily on Mikel Arteta and his players, who finished as Premier League runners-up to Manchester City for the previous two seasons.

Injuries and inconsistent form from their forwards hindered Arsenal's title bid, with Liverpool ultimately claiming the championship. Without a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta is determined to translate Arsenal's quality into tangible success and bring silverware to the club.

Arsenal pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating defending champions Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, winning 5-1 on aggregate. However, despite this recent success, the club's European history is marked by disappointment.

The North Londoners' last European trophy was the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup, when Alan Smith scored the winning goal against Parma in the final. This victory remains a highlight in Arsenal's otherwise underwhelming European record.

During Arsene Wenger's successful tenure, Arsenal reached two European finals but lost both - to Galatasaray in the 2000 UEFA Cup and Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League. Additionally, under Unai Emery, Arsenal lost the 2019 Europa League final to Chelsea.

Arsenal's last European trophy was the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup under George Graham, and the team hopes this past success will bring good fortune in their upcoming match.

31 years ago, Arsenal, as underdogs, defeated a strong PSG side featuring George Weah and David Ginola, winning 2-1 on aggregate in the Cup Winners' Cup semi-final. If Arsenal can overcome their current deficit against PSG, it would be one of the greatest results in the club's history.

Mikel Arteta emphasized the high stakes, urging his team to channel their frustration into a strong performance. “What we have created now is a lot of rage, anger, frustration and a bad feeling in the tummy,” he said. “So make sure we use that for Wednesday to have a massive performance in Paris, win the game and be in the final.”