Ødegaard: Intense Arsenal – City rivalry is expected
Why Arsenal shouldn’t underestimate Manchester City. The intense rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester City is a natural consequence of both teams’ drive to be the best, according to Arsenal’s captain Martin Ødegaard, ahead of their Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal finished second to City in the 2022-23 season and once again pushed City to the final day of last season’s title race, only to finish as runners-up to Pep Guardiola’s team.
Tensions escalated in their previous encounter in September when Ødegaard’s fellow Norwegian, Erling Haaland, threw the ball at Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães and exchanged heated words with Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta, telling him to “stay humble.”
“In football, emotions run high, and the adrenaline is pumping, especially in games like this. That’s something that can happen during the match, but once you walk off the pitch, it’s over,” Ødegaard explained.
“I don’t focus too much on it. It’s normal to have big rivalries in such important games. You are competing to be the best. It should be that way, and there will be moments of intensity.
“But many players know each other from the national team — England, Brazil, me and Erling — so it feels different on and off the pitch. When we are playing, it’s a fierce contest.”
City currently sit in fourth place with 41 points, while Arsenal, in second, have 47 points, trailing Liverpool by six points, who have a game in hand.
Ayden Heaven made his Arsenal debut against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup. Getty Manchester United have completed the signing of 18-year-old defender Ayden Heaven from Arsenal, the club confirmed on Saturday.
Heaven’s only senior appearance for Arsenal came in the Carabao Cup against Preston North End last year.
The defender has signed a contract through 2029, with an option for an additional year.
“I am extremely proud to join Manchester United. I am thankful to everyone who made this dream possible,” Heaven stated.
“I have a lot to achieve in football, and I will dedicate myself fully to my development and becoming the best player I can be.”
A source informed ESPN that Heaven will be considered part of the first team at Old Trafford. While he is expected to feature in academy matches, he will mainly train with Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.
Having previously been with West Ham’s academy before moving to Arsenal, Heaven is primarily a left-sided centre-back but is also capable of playing in midfield.
He becomes the second Arsenal youth prospect to join United, following 17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin, who signed with United in October.