Ødegaard Praises Arsenal's New Signings After Community Shield Victory

Martin Ødegaard says Arsenal’s new boys have wasted no time announcing themselves – and insists the Premier League champions are equipped to chase down a haul of trophies this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side ripped through Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff, dismantling last season’s FA Cup winners with a ruthless 3-0 win that felt like a statement as much as a curtain-raiser. Arsenal were three up by the 48th minute, and the new signings were right at the heart of it.

Christos Tzolis, a £34m arrival from Club Brugge, lit up the occasion. The winger slid a clever pass into Kai Havertz for Arsenal’s second, then picked out Ødegaard just after half-time for the third, capping a debut that crackled with intent and end product.

Behind him, Bruno Guimarães brought the control. The £75m signing from Newcastle started in midfield and dominated the first half before making way for Declan Rice at the break, his job done after a commanding first outing in red and white.

For Ødegaard, who has battled Guimarães in some fierce contests in recent seasons, the transition from rival to teammate has been seamless.

“Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing,” the Norwegian said. “Although we had some big fights with him in the past, he has just come into the team as a real natural part of the team. And you can see his quality. He can win the ball, he’s a fighter, but he also has so much quality on the ball. He has that … he is so calm on the ball. He always takes the right amount of time and he finds the pass. It’s brilliant. Christos, as well, it is good to have new players perform like that already.”

The performance carried an edge that went beyond pre-season sharpness. Arsenal hunted in packs, moved the ball with authority and, once ahead, showed the kind of control that wins silverware in May, not just in August.

For Ødegaard, it also felt like the start of a personal reset.

Last season he managed only 16 Premier League starts, his campaign repeatedly disrupted by injuries, and finished with just one league goal. The frustration lingered, but a strong summer with Norway, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals, has clearly shifted his mood.

“Last season, to miss so many games because of injury was really frustrating,” he said. “What I have just worked on is to use that as motivation for this year and to become stronger. And to use all of those experiences in a positive way. Obviously, I want to help the team score more goals, get more assists, and all that. It was a good way to start the season.”

Now comes the real business. Arsenal open their title defence on Friday night against promoted Coventry, a fixture that suddenly looks like more than a gentle introduction. After swatting aside City, there is an expectation – inside the dressing room as much as outside – that the champions set the tone immediately.

“We wanted to show our level,” Ødegaard said of the win over Enzo Maresca’s side. “Of course, last year we won the league. But this year we want more. There is a lot more to play for. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies. There is a lot to work for and still a lot of room for improvement.”

The message is clear: the shield was a marker, not a peak. With Guimarães already dictating, Tzolis already creating and their captain intent on erasing last season’s frustrations, Arsenal are not talking about defending anything. They are coming for more.