‘It was never going to be easy’

MARTIN ODEGAARD admits Arsenal’s title collapses are in the back of their minds – but has urged his team-mates to use them as fuel.

Mikel Arteta’s side had their lead at the top of the Prem cut to four points over the weekend after losing 3-2 at home to Manchester United.

The Gunners have now dropped seven points in their last three league games and fans fear they could miss out on the title for the fourth year in a row.

Arsenal last won the Prem 22 years ago and have finished runners-up in each of the past three seasons.

And asked about the impact of those near-misses on this season’s title race, Odegaard said: “Obviously it is a factor – but it can be a good factor as well. 

“It gives you more fuel, and more hunger and determination to get it done. 

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“We have experienced in all those seasons that it is a long run and a lot of things happen.

“Be together now, look for the next game and bounce back. It is a long run and there is a long way to go.

“The important thing is to stay in the moment. We can’t listen too much to the expectations and everything around it.

“It was never going to be easy. It is tough in this league. We just have to keep working and keep going. 

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“We are still top of the league and we will keep pushing each other – and be together now.”

Arsenal are next in action on Wednesday when they host Kairat Almaty – who are bottom of the Champions League.

The Gunners then travel to Leeds on Saturday and Bukayo Saka has echoed Odegaard by calling for a reaction.

Saka said: “The journey is not always going to be smooth, there’s going to be ups and downs. 

“It’s up to us to show our character this week. That’s all our focus is now, we can’t change the result now. 

“It’s a tough loss to take, but we have to stick together. We go again this week. We’ll try and get back to winning ways.”