Martin Odegaard admits Arsenal's failure to win the Premier League "still stings" after being beaten to the title by Manchester City.
The Gunners led the table for the majority of the season and at one stage had an eight-point lead over City heading towards the run-in. But injuries, coupled with the ruthlessness of City, soon took their toll, as a bad patch of results saw Arsenal slip behind their rivals to finish five points off the pace.
It was perhaps particularly painful for Arsenal captain Odegaard, who had been one of his team's standout performers across the campaign. To make matters worse, rivals City have since gone on to claim a historic Treble, with Odegaard's international colleague Erling Haaland a key figure in their dominance.
Odegaard has joined up with Haaland on duty for Norway this week, but revealed he did his best to avoid his friend's celebrations as he did not want to open up old wounds. ‘I’ve tried not to see so much of that stuff there, because it still stings," Odegaard said. "I try not to think too much about it. Even though we delivered a very good season for a long time, I am left with a sour feeling."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has already conceded the nature of his side's collapse leaves the Gunners with a necessary healing process before they can think about tackling another title race. Speaking after their defeat to Nottingham Forest confirmed the inevitable and handed City a third successive title, Arteta said: "Now we must heal. It is very painful. I have to find a way to lift the players and we have a tough week ahead of us. It is a really sad day."
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His job has not been made easier by speculation surrounding his captain's future, with Odegaard linked with a summer switch to Paris Saint-Germain. However, Odegaard seems to have little interest in turning his back on another title tilt with Arsenal, declaring this week: "I have a few years left on the contract, I’m fine and I hope to be at the club for a long time to come."
While Arteta will still be suffering from Arsenal's disappointment, he has little time to waste as he bids to try and get a head start on City for next season. Completing a deal for West Ham star Declan Rice is first on his agenda, though City are now looking to hijack Arsenal's bid in what would be a disaster for Arteta's summer plans.
Arsenal start the new campaign with the visit of Nottingham Forest on August 12, before a trip to Crystal Palace, followed by home clashes with Fulham and Manchester United.
