Addressing the club's supporters at full time, Odegaard said: "I think weâre all a little bit disappointed at the moment. Weâve been fighting for so long and weâre so close. But at the same time Iâm so proud of the boys, everyone at the club, the fans. Iâm so proud of the progress weâre making. When I first came here until today, itâs a big difference. Weâve changed the club. I think youâre all believing us now. Weâre on a good wave, We were closer than last year. Now we need to use the break to come back even stronger next year. Weâre going to push to win everything."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal have indeed got closer to the champions' points tally this term. Last season, the Gunners finished five points behind City, but this time around they have ended up only two adrift of Pep Guardiola's team. Champions League football has been secured once again and they'll be looking to go further than the quarter-final stages - where they exited this season - in 2025.
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Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has hinted that the club would again be investing in the men's team this summer, as they look to further close the gap on City. It's understood that Arteta is particularly interested in signing a new centre-forward, with the futures of Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus uncertain.