Martin Odegaard says Arsenal now have a “winning mentality”, as they prepare for Sunday’s clash against Leeds on the brink of their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
The Gunners currently sit top of the table, a point clear of Manchester City, having won eight of their nine League matches so far this term, the sole defeat coming at Manchester United.
A win at Elland Road would take Arsenal’s tally to 27 points after 10 games, surpassing the club-record 26 they had accrued by the same stage of the 2007-08 season.
Speaking after Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League group stage, which also made it a perfect three out of three in that competition, Odegaard insisted the club’s sensational start can be maintained.
“We know the quality we have and we know the mindset we have now,” Odegaard said. “Everyone is ready for every game, for every action, and that’s what we wanted today.
“It wasn’t the best game but we won, and that’s the best thing about today: the three points and our winning mentality to just win every game.
“That’s what it’s all about now, take it game by game and try to win every time we play, that’s what we want to do. We have to take it step-by-step, we’re not getting carried away, we have to stay calm and keep working hard and we’ll see.”
The extent of the Gunners’ blistering form has surprised many observers, with concerns ahead of the campaign that a hangover from the disappointing end to last season could carry into the start of the new term, despite another summer of significant recruitment.
Midfielder Fabio Vieira was among those signed, brought in from Porto in a £34million deal, and the 22-year-old says he always believed he was joining a team that could challenge for the title.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “Arsenal is a big club, everyone knows. At the moment we’re in first place, it’s really good and we need to keep working, keep going game by game and continue.”
Despite playing a relatively minor role thus far, Vieira has quickly become a favourite among fans, who have adapted the chant once sung in honour of his legendary namesake, former skipper Patrick Vieira.
There were concerns about the Portuguese’s suitability to English football, but Vieira says he is hitting the gym three times a week in a bid to bulk up and is adapting quickly, helped by Arteta’s clear philosophy.
“It’s a different type of game,” he said. “In Portugal it’s different, in England it’s more physical and you need to work on this. I promise, I’m working!
“Everyone knows what the boss wants from us, the way we play, and for us it’s easy. They give us the tactics and everything we need to do on the pitch and for us it’s more easy.
“I feel very happy here. The support of our fans every game is very important and from me it’s very important to feel the love from them.”
