Odegaard: Arteta's new contract lifts squad energy

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says Mikel Arteta's new contract has given the squad a significant boost, writing in the club's matchday programme ahead of the home fixture against Chelsea.

"Also during the international break we had the news that the boss has signed a new contract and that's given everyone here such a lift. What he's done so far is unbelievable, so to see him committing to being here for even longer is a big push for everyone. For sure, it's going to lift the energy even more," Odegaard wrote.

The Norwegian midfielder returned from an international break in which Norway lost three of four Nations League matches, including defeats against Portugal. Odegaard acknowledged the extended format favours larger nations with deeper squads, noting smaller countries face a heavier toll from congested schedules and injury risk.

Odegaard was candid about Arsenal's most recent Premier League result, a defeat to Brighton. "We were not good enough on the day, we didn't play to our standards and that's what you get. We have to take that punch in the face, learn from it, make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.

The captain called on the squad to respond immediately against Leeds at Emirates Stadium, their first home match after four consecutive away fixtures and the international break. He described the upcoming game as "another big test against a really good team" and urged the side to show "a different version than the last game" from the first whistle.