Martin Odegaard issues emotional statement as Arsenal star sent home from World Cup

Martin Odegaard was part of the Norway squad that reached the World Cup quarter-final, and the Arsenal star will now return to his homeland

Arsenal star Martin Odegaard has opened up on Norway’s ‘fairytale’ run to the World Cup quarter-final that saw them eventually knocked out by England. Odegaard starred for his country in the tournament in North America and helped them reach the last eight, where they came up against the Three Lions.

A Jude Bellingham brace helped England progress to the semi-final and resulted in Norway being eliminated from the World Cup, with Odegaard now returning home before enjoying a summer break.

Odegaard will hope to be back in pre-season action for Arsenal in the coming weeks, as he and the rest of his teammates look to help the Gunners defend their Premier League crown.

After seeing Norway knocked out of the World Cup, Odegaard issued an emotional message in which he reflected on the country’s achievement of reaching the quarter-finals.

"It's very tough. I feel we were very close,” Odegaard said after Norway’s defeat to England. “We did everything we could, and maybe we sat back defensively in the first half, but England didn't create much and we took the lead.

“We conceded two easy goals, and we didn't get much help from the referee. The small details didn't go our way, and we lacked some luck."

"It was a fantastic tournament and a fairytale for us. We can be proud of ourselves. The whole world is talking about Norway now, and reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup is a huge achievement.

“Now that we've tasted this level, we need to keep building for the future."

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A report in VG has stated that the Norwegian players will have a joint gathering with supporters in Oslo following their World Cup exit.

Odegaard also went on to say, in an interview with the outlet: “You just have to pay tribute and thank the supporters and give them lots of love in return.

“Now we are going home to Norway to have a moment with them there.”

The Arsenal captain, in a separate interview with Dagbladet, went on to praise the support that he and the rest of his teammates have received from the country’s fans, particularly back in Norway.

“No one had imagined how good it has become in every possible way,” he said.

He added: “What has happened at home no one could have imagined. It is fantastic that football can bring an entire country together.

“We have heard about the Brazil stuff for years, now we have been involved in creating something of our own. It is special.”

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