17 February 2024 , 19:01
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Mikel Arteta admits he didn't notice Martin Odegaard send a message to the so-called celebration police during Arsenal's emphatic 5-0 win at Burnley.
After scoring the Gunners' opening goal with just four minutes on the clock, Odegaard celebrated by putting his hands over his ears and closing his eyes with a beaming smile on his face. Fans saw it as a response to critics who accused the Arsenal captain of over-celebrating after the Gunners' 3-1 win at home to Liverpool earlier this month which revitalised their Premier League title charge.
Once teammates Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz helped hammer Burnley to send Arsenal within two points of Liverpool at the top of the table, Arteta was asked about Odegaard and his pointed celebration. "I didn't notice him make that gesture," the Gunners manager replied.
"He was really happy in the dressing room. I don't think he needs to send any messages. He needs to do what he feels. If he wants to do something then do it and deal with the consequences. We want him to do it because we really like it."
Arteta definitely liked his captain's showing at Turf Moor, as he orchestrated a second successive away victory to build on last Sunday's 6-0 win at West Ham. On the 25-year-old's all-round performance, Arteta added: "I think confidence-wise he's in a really good moment.
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"Physically as well the way he's applied himself defending and attacking. The connection and the movement that he gives us on that right-hand side it's really good. He's hitting form."
And so are his teammates, with Havertz adding post-match: "We are in a good moment, we have won all of the games so far so it feels good. Behind that was hard work and there are many hard games to come. We have to continue the hard work.
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Martin Odegaard made it 1-0 after just four minutes (Foot Direct)"We wanted to start the game very well and we lacked that at West Ham. We wanted to change that so the early goal was very important to us. We scored a few more good goals and we're happy with the win."
Next for Arsenal is a trip to face Portuguese giants Porto in the Champions League round of 16 and Arteta is keen for another dominant display. "We want to dominate games and play in the opponent's half as much as possible," he affirmed.
"I think the threat, the purpose, the activity and the connections of the players are flowing and they really want it. We have momentum now and we have to maintain it. Now we leave the Premier League, we go to Porto which will be a really tough environment, so just prepare to play well again and be ourselves."