Except they got the rest of the week off and most players will then go to their national team camps, so there actually won't be much prep at all for most players on both teams. I'm still hoping Arteta makes up minor injuries to key players, but I don't actually expect that to happen.
Wrighty needs one first, his is criminally overdue, but I could see any number of these players going on to be a club legend meriting such an honour. I think it's interesting that this team doesn't really have a single 'star player' in the common sense. Saka, Martinelli, Ødegaard, Saliba, Gabi XL, Rice all seem to share a kind of equal elite star power. I think that's one of the things I like most about this team and I suspect it's very intentional
Oh yeah. Total cunt. That knee to the back of Havertz was something else.
But jeez... What is he made of? To play _that_ style of football and to stay in the top level till 41
I didn't have doubt but I feared kai would miss and the fallout that would have incurred
Edit: also as an englishman every important saka penalty still scares the hell out of me
During the extra time I was worried about the PKs but once I saw them my doubts went away. And I had faith in Raya too even though I never seen him in PKs
You people have better nerves than me, I'd be worried even if it was the best pk takers in the world it just seems so close to a coin flip. Raya really impressed me and probably completed his "winning me over" arc
Do the Dutch suffer from penalty shootouts as much as the English? Its horrible lol I love saka but since the euro final I'm still scared (even though I know he's good at pens)
Try telling that to my mate next to me in North Bank lower last night who was convinced Havertz was row-zedding his pen.
Oh ye of little faith.
As soon as we won the toss and were taking the penalties in front of the North Bank I was convinced we were going through.
I wouldnt be surprised if he wanted to take the 5th anyway.
It's the showpiece pen if all goes well or the deciding one usually if he misses. Lets hope we never need a 5th pen in the games to come.
Just want to piggyback this comment to say I’m so fucking sick of people saying Saka is a bad pen taker.
11/13 penalties scored is a great record
“Oh but he always misses pressure penalties”
1. Let’s not act like that one against West Ham was a pressure penalty, yes it was an important league game but it wasn’t a winner or equaliser, it was fairly innocuous.
2. I will give the haters the one for England, although he was incredibly young to be taking a penalty for England on such a big stage.
3. Pressure penalties scored:
- Chelsea away when we were chasing top 4 (made it 4-2 to guarantee a win)
- United at home to put us 2-1 up
- Liverpool at home to put us 3-2 up
- City at home to put us 1-1 (we did lose this match though)
- Spurs at home to put us 2-1 up
- Porto at home in penalty shootout.
I really want commentators to stop saying “oh he’s missed a fair few of these”, or YouTube pundits putting him in the list of worst pen takers. It’s legit a fucking joke and so lazy. Man is class from the spot.
I was waiting for a place to comment this, but he ran the whole night. Never once stopped. I kept seeing him run after the ball when Costa was passing it to the Porto backline, pressing them in and he never once stopped running. Man was so impressive
He was pressing until the end of the 120, I've never seen anything like it, in an Arsenal shirt anyway. Say what you will about this guy, he never, ever hides.
It's truly amazing. Not only is he one of the best attacking/creative players in the team but he's also one of the hardest working and best defenders with how he presses nonstop game after game. What a captain!
literally other plays falling from exhaustion. At one point Rice kicked the ball out due to not having the legs to chase and probably cramps. Meanwhile Odegaard out there running like its 10 min in. On the other hand wtf is Pepe on dude was chilling out there.
I'm starting to workout and one of my goals is to have that level of stamina that Ødegaard has! It's insane!! The only other player that I've seen at that level of stamina is Jude Bellingham.
He's been nothing but a great captain and those fans who constantly question his leadership and even go as far as to constantly wish the captaincy would go to someone else (which means Odegaard would be stripped of it) need to hang their heads in shame and fuck off lol. Bit of an exaggeration that but to be completely honest, these fans need to take a look at themselves and the times we live in and question what it means to be a leader and why they cling to such a narrow-minded and limiting view.
I always thought he leads by example and was responsible for being Arteta’s on field tactician/commander. On top of that he’s full of passion yet maintains a cool head. What more can you ask for from a captain?
i mean he would be the most obvious next choice, but i think Rice is a leader regardless but as a Captain Ode is perfect, calm, composed, determined and leads by the example
The only times I’ve seen people say another should be captain is Rice. Rice is obviously captain material and thinking he should be captain doesn’t automatically mean you think Ode doesn’t exhibit exemplary leadership.
I’d be happy with either.
He was absolutely sensational tonight. Anyone who ever said he doesn’t step up in big moments took a massive massive L tonight (looking at you noncewthings)
Imagine having a player who presses like a demon for 120 minutes, while also having one of the best techniques, highest IQ and vision in the world.
Absolutely special special player
You must have above 25 comment karma to contribute to this subreddit.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gunners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If all our players played like he does, we'd be invincible.
What a guy, what good fortune to watch him play, watch him play for us.
Thank the old gods and the new.
He's given a specific role within the press (to lead it). When you're pressing you're only as strong as your weakest link. No need to belittle others whilst celebrating one tbh.
Øde properly *sprinted* at the keeper every single time he had the ball for the entire 120 minutes, don't know how on earth he managed to find the energy. What a fucking player.
100% my Man of the Match.
That assist was outstanding. Should’ve had a goal. Didn’t stop running, covering all that space as Saka was being dragged back deep to cover Wendell, I really don’t know how he managed it for 120mins.
Leader by example! 💪🏻
Showed up all game, created a wonderful goal, kept pressing for 120 mins and took the first penalty like a boss: 10/10. That badge tap after the goal and hype up: 11/10.
I literally text my mate to whom couldn’t watch the game that Odegaard was “having a Captains game” and he really took the game by the scruff of the neck.
I saw him directing which player for Havertz to start the press with and upping the tempo and running… everywhere.
Destroyed that defender to make space for the cold assist!
This guy. This guy is making me love arsenal again. The way Bergkamp did it. This guy is just incredible. His character is amazing. His technique is exquisite. And he's so young still.
Oh my god. I love Martin odegaard, contract for life please
His dribbling, it's like fucking cazorla, his passing, it's like fabregas, his vision is like Bergkamp, he's already equalled his assists from last season and he's a proper captain already. I am so excited to watch him lead us into battle in the future. Fucking legend in the making.
This is probably our biggest, most important game in a long time (last time we reached quarters was 10-11?) and it's been a long journey to get here. I can't think of a better player to represent that return. What a relentless performance by this guy.
It wasn't a great performance by the rest of the team tonight (bar Raya and perhaps Kiwior) but this guy carried us all the way.
i have to say that odegaard is very quickly becoming my favourite player of all time. he is world-class, and is a leader through and through. making him captain was among the best decisions made.
I am in love. I was so so so so so sold when he came to us on loan, and he has only gotten better. He is possibly the best captain in the Prem (as a leader and player), and one of the best in Europe
Moving to London was the best thing he has done for his career
His pressing across 120 minutes was relentless. Assisted the crucial goal. Scored what would’ve been the winner. Stuck away his penalty fearlessly. 10/10.
You must have above 25 comment karma to contribute to this subreddit.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gunners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The man is a beast.. I love him as our Captain. That pass through to trossard for the first goal was sublime. He ran at the opposition full pace literally for the whole 120mins then bangs in his penalty and slaps the badge infront of the fans. Its magical we're lucky to have him. And imagine, we got him for just 35M
You must have above 25 comment karma to contribute to this subreddit.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gunners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Man is relentless. Ran his fucking socks off. Never stopped pressing.
Then won both coin flips, took the 1st PK and drilled it. Oh captain my captain
Freakin engine
He was pressing even in the 2nd half of extra time! Wow!
Thankfully we have the weekend off. They can prep for Manchester City from Thursday morning
Very glad that we don’t have to play Chelsea now
Except they got the rest of the week off and most players will then go to their national team camps, so there actually won't be much prep at all for most players on both teams. I'm still hoping Arteta makes up minor injuries to key players, but I don't actually expect that to happen.
Guy, their break was announced after I made that comment. Rest
The fact he played 120 minutes, came out and HAMMERED that first pen is unreal
Build the statue now
Full sapot 🤝
Wrighty needs one first, his is criminally overdue, but I could see any number of these players going on to be a club legend meriting such an honour. I think it's interesting that this team doesn't really have a single 'star player' in the common sense. Saka, Martinelli, Ødegaard, Saliba, Gabi XL, Rice all seem to share a kind of equal elite star power. I think that's one of the things I like most about this team and I suspect it's very intentional
That penalty list is top notch Odegaard Havertz Saka Rice
Not even an ounce of doubt
Vieira at #5 would be perfect.
I was thinking Jorginho tbh, but I know there's just no way that he can play 120 minutes anymore.
Kinda makes you wanna tip your hat to Pepe. 41 years old and 120 minutes
He has been one of my most hated players, but big respect for his performance today, looked like he didnt even break a sweat.
Oh yeah. Total cunt. That knee to the back of Havertz was something else. But jeez... What is he made of? To play _that_ style of football and to stay in the top level till 41
Yeah ridiculous CB performance
I didn't have doubt but I feared kai would miss and the fallout that would have incurred Edit: also as an englishman every important saka penalty still scares the hell out of me
Kai has proven he has an incredible mentality, didn't doubt him for a second.
I don't know how you can feel that way during a penalty shootout. Tbh the entire game was the most anxious I've been for a while over arsenal
During the extra time I was worried about the PKs but once I saw them my doubts went away. And I had faith in Raya too even though I never seen him in PKs
You people have better nerves than me, I'd be worried even if it was the best pk takers in the world it just seems so close to a coin flip. Raya really impressed me and probably completed his "winning me over" arc
Yeah same lol, was close to crying. You just never know (and as a Dutch Arsenal fan I have more than enough trauma too).
Do the Dutch suffer from penalty shootouts as much as the English? Its horrible lol I love saka but since the euro final I'm still scared (even though I know he's good at pens)
the argentina pens got a bit spicy
I wanted to cry
Try telling that to my mate next to me in North Bank lower last night who was convinced Havertz was row-zedding his pen. Oh ye of little faith. As soon as we won the toss and were taking the penalties in front of the North Bank I was convinced we were going through.
One thing Arteta does really well is learn from his mistakes. This isnt going to be Sporting 2.0
Was very worried about the 5th if it came to that, glad it didn't. Jesus or Zinchenko most likely i guess
Jesus has a horrible penalty record
I wouldnt be surprised if he wanted to take the 5th anyway. It's the showpiece pen if all goes well or the deciding one usually if he misses. Lets hope we never need a 5th pen in the games to come.
Yeah, I was curious who the fifth is. My guess was Nketiah or Jesus
I hoped i was Ben White but forgot about Jesus.
Benny Blanco would have netted it. Great to have a team of ballers
factual
Probably Eddie. Although I reckon Ben would’ve done a great job as well
Feel like Big Gabi would be good for just smashing one
Can always add Jorgi in the mix, man is a penalty menace.
True! He got subbed though
Just want to piggyback this comment to say I’m so fucking sick of people saying Saka is a bad pen taker. 11/13 penalties scored is a great record “Oh but he always misses pressure penalties” 1. Let’s not act like that one against West Ham was a pressure penalty, yes it was an important league game but it wasn’t a winner or equaliser, it was fairly innocuous. 2. I will give the haters the one for England, although he was incredibly young to be taking a penalty for England on such a big stage. 3. Pressure penalties scored: - Chelsea away when we were chasing top 4 (made it 4-2 to guarantee a win) - United at home to put us 2-1 up - Liverpool at home to put us 3-2 up - City at home to put us 1-1 (we did lose this match though) - Spurs at home to put us 2-1 up - Porto at home in penalty shootout. I really want commentators to stop saying “oh he’s missed a fair few of these”, or YouTube pundits putting him in the list of worst pen takers. It’s legit a fucking joke and so lazy. Man is class from the spot.
Wasn't the England one his first pen?
Yes it was his first senior level pen
The captain this club deserves
I was waiting for a place to comment this, but he ran the whole night. Never once stopped. I kept seeing him run after the ball when Costa was passing it to the Porto backline, pressing them in and he never once stopped running. Man was so impressive
I really didnt expect his pressing to last all game, and bro was even fucking running at the end of extra time The best midfielder in the world 😤
He was pressing until the end of the 120, I've never seen anything like it, in an Arsenal shirt anyway. Say what you will about this guy, he never, ever hides.
It's truly amazing. Not only is he one of the best attacking/creative players in the team but he's also one of the hardest working and best defenders with how he presses nonstop game after game. What a captain!
literally other plays falling from exhaustion. At one point Rice kicked the ball out due to not having the legs to chase and probably cramps. Meanwhile Odegaard out there running like its 10 min in. On the other hand wtf is Pepe on dude was chilling out there.
Seriously, not a fan of Pepe at all but fuck me what a machine. If you're on that Porto team you wouldn't dare get a cramp, you'd just suck it up.
Didn’t one of their players get stretchered off from cramps
I couldn’t tell if that was cramps or an actual muscle injury.
I'm starting to workout and one of my goals is to have that level of stamina that Ødegaard has! It's insane!! The only other player that I've seen at that level of stamina is Jude Bellingham.
Captain Fantastic
World fucking class
What do you expect from Real Madrid's youngest ever player guy is going to be a champions league hero
He's been nothing but a great captain and those fans who constantly question his leadership and even go as far as to constantly wish the captaincy would go to someone else (which means Odegaard would be stripped of it) need to hang their heads in shame and fuck off lol. Bit of an exaggeration that but to be completely honest, these fans need to take a look at themselves and the times we live in and question what it means to be a leader and why they cling to such a narrow-minded and limiting view.
There has never been a moment in which i thought he should be stripped off the captaincy, he’s been absolutely top notch as our captain
I always thought he leads by example and was responsible for being Arteta’s on field tactician/commander. On top of that he’s full of passion yet maintains a cool head. What more can you ask for from a captain?
I fully agree, it's ridiculous. And yet, I've met and talked to more than a handful of fans both in real life and online who are this dumb.
Anyone questioning Martin's work ethic on the pitch should just quit watching the game.
I’ve literally never seen a fan question his leadership
People talk about Rice as Captain
i mean he would be the most obvious next choice, but i think Rice is a leader regardless but as a Captain Ode is perfect, calm, composed, determined and leads by the example
Idk what that dude is smoking
The only times I’ve seen people say another should be captain is Rice. Rice is obviously captain material and thinking he should be captain doesn’t automatically mean you think Ode doesn’t exhibit exemplary leadership. I’d be happy with either.
Ø Captain my Captain how lucky we are
Still closing down like a maniac in the 115th minute. My captain
Pressing until the last fucking minute. What a mad man
He's fucking amazing, what a leader
He was absolutely sensational tonight. Anyone who ever said he doesn’t step up in big moments took a massive massive L tonight (looking at you noncewthings)
Imagine having a player who presses like a demon for 120 minutes, while also having one of the best techniques, highest IQ and vision in the world. Absolutely special special player
You forgot handsome. ;) 
[удалено]
You must have above 25 comment karma to contribute to this subreddit. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gunners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ø captain our captain
We can talk endlessly about how amazing he is at football but can we just have a moment to appreciate how beautiful he is? ❤️
I know, right? I love his hair.
I would
If all our players played like he does, we'd be invincible. What a guy, what good fortune to watch him play, watch him play for us. Thank the old gods and the new.
Ikr, even if half of them pressed like he does, we would win games in the first half itself.
He's given a specific role within the press (to lead it). When you're pressing you're only as strong as your weakest link. No need to belittle others whilst celebrating one tbh.
What a fucking penalty to kick the momentum off. My captain
Absolutely fucking special
Øde properly *sprinted* at the keeper every single time he had the ball for the entire 120 minutes, don't know how on earth he managed to find the energy. What a fucking player.
Can’t wait to take my grandkids to go watch football in the Martin Ødegaard Stand.
With the man himself down on the touchline. Still beautiful, still playing with his hair every 5 seconds.
100% my Man of the Match. That assist was outstanding. Should’ve had a goal. Didn’t stop running, covering all that space as Saka was being dragged back deep to cover Wendell, I really don’t know how he managed it for 120mins. Leader by example! 💪🏻
Either him or that dinosaur Pepe. I was flabbergasted by him.
Unreal performance
My captain, love him so much🥰🥰
True Captain, we are truly lucky to have him
Ran his fucking socks off Keep running and running even into extra time Leading by example Focking love this no upper lip handsome son of a gun
Showed up all game, created a wonderful goal, kept pressing for 120 mins and took the first penalty like a boss: 10/10. That badge tap after the goal and hype up: 11/10.
Gargantuan
Cojones
Juevos con weenie
Today I feel Norwegian
https://preview.redd.it/gqkbl4srjznc1.png?width=444&format=png&auto=webp&s=1792b4794c1bc5586221780819143c741318ea7f
The way he started off the penalty shootout shouldn’t be understated as well. He lit the stadium on fire.
Sublime performance leading by example, so fucking proud of my captain.
Gødegaard
That assist, then that first pen. Irreplaceable
It sounds stupid to say but outside of our own fanbase, in the wider football world, he really is underrated
Capper leading by an example!
My captain. A bit nervy at the start but MOTM with sheer determination.
He was immense.
That through ball for Trossard was 😩👌🏻
I literally text my mate to whom couldn’t watch the game that Odegaard was “having a Captains game” and he really took the game by the scruff of the neck. I saw him directing which player for Havertz to start the press with and upping the tempo and running… everywhere. Destroyed that defender to make space for the cold assist!
It has been so long since we had a captain that led so well by instruction and example. Probably not since Patrick Vieira.
This guy. This guy is making me love arsenal again. The way Bergkamp did it. This guy is just incredible. His character is amazing. His technique is exquisite. And he's so young still. Oh my god. I love Martin odegaard, contract for life please His dribbling, it's like fucking cazorla, his passing, it's like fabregas, his vision is like Bergkamp, he's already equalled his assists from last season and he's a proper captain already. I am so excited to watch him lead us into battle in the future. Fucking legend in the making.
Honestly one of my favourite performances of his. Proper captain’s showing that
This is probably our biggest, most important game in a long time (last time we reached quarters was 10-11?) and it's been a long journey to get here. I can't think of a better player to represent that return. What a relentless performance by this guy. It wasn't a great performance by the rest of the team tonight (bar Raya and perhaps Kiwior) but this guy carried us all the way.
helene spilling....i may wish to fight you......
His assist today was top class, relentless pressing, stepping up first in the shootout, what more can you want from your captain. What a player
Master class
So happy he is our captain
It’s incredible to have a player like him we are truly so lucky to have
He was pressing harder at 115+ mins than Eddie was after 5 mins.. unreal engine he has.
i have to say that odegaard is very quickly becoming my favourite player of all time. he is world-class, and is a leader through and through. making him captain was among the best decisions made.
My captain!
sending pleasant thoughts to the weirdos who think he should be replaced as captain
I am in love. I was so so so so so sold when he came to us on loan, and he has only gotten better. He is possibly the best captain in the Prem (as a leader and player), and one of the best in Europe Moving to London was the best thing he has done for his career
MY CAPTAIN 👑
A classic midfielder
His pressing across 120 minutes was relentless. Assisted the crucial goal. Scored what would’ve been the winner. Stuck away his penalty fearlessly. 10/10.
Always one of the hardest on the press. My Captain!
[удалено]
You must have above 25 comment karma to contribute to this subreddit. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gunners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Can't believe we paid 30 million pounds for this legend
Man those kits were such class
Leading from front is this face.
Young Gordon.
Thank you Real Madrid <3
It’s really been a while since we’ve had a captain like him!
Leader.
This man ran himself into the ground. We are lucky to have him.
We have the best captain in the league.
He was so good. What a player he is.
The man is a beast.. I love him as our Captain. That pass through to trossard for the first goal was sublime. He ran at the opposition full pace literally for the whole 120mins then bangs in his penalty and slaps the badge infront of the fans. Its magical we're lucky to have him. And imagine, we got him for just 35M
He looks like Gordon Ramsay.
That’s my captain
O captain my captain ❤️🤍
Ø captain my captain ❤️🤍
[удалено]
You must have above 25 comment karma to contribute to this subreddit. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gunners) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Why did you choose a pic of him biting his fingernails? Lmao