What Odegaard said ahead of Arsenal, Chelsea clash

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says their clash at Chelsea is a test of their title credentials.

The Gunners go to Stamford Bridge having lost the Premier League leadership to Manchester City courtesy of their late win against Fulham.

Odegaard said: “These things are important for the confidence and for the feeling that we can beat these top teams away from home as well.

“The Manchester United game was frustrating for us. We controlled the game and played good football but we suddenly just gave away some easy goals and we lost the game.

“This is a game where we have to show a different side compared to the United game. We have to be ready to win these games, that’s important for us now.”

Arsenal have won their last two matches at Stamford Bridge but Odegaard was keen to play down that having any significance on Sunday’s fixture. He added: “I don’t think it’s too important but it gives you a good feeling, you have good memories.

“It brings maybe that little extra confidence into the game. It’s not too important but it’s good to have that feeling and we have to try to do that again. This will be a tough game. It’s a different Chelsea team with a new manager.

“But we played Brighton a lot with this manager and it’s always tough to play his teams. They have been almost playing man-to-man all over [under Potter].

“They made it really difficult for us and I’m sure it will be some of the same things, but I guess Chelsea has to do thing a bit differently. He’s a very technically strong manager and it’s going to be a big battle.”