Odegaard relishes Arsenal reunion as Norway eye England upset at World Cup

Norway captain Martin Odegaard is bracing for a significant challenge as his team prepares to face England in a World Cup quarter-final, a match that will pit him against several of his Arsenal clubmates. Odegaard, who also captains Arsenal, will be competing against Premier League-winning teammates Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze when Norway meets England at the Miami Stadium on Saturday.

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Not too much (banter). I've spoken to a few of them a little bit during the tournament. Obviously we know the quality they have. I know them really well. Outstanding players, world-class players, playing for probably one of the best national teams in the world at the moment, so it's going to be a big test for us.

Odegaard mentioned having brief conversations with some of his English counterparts during the tournament but is firmly focused on the upcoming match. "Obviously we know the quality they have. I know them really well. Outstanding players, world-class players, playing for probably one of the best national teams in the world at the moment, so it's going to be a big test for us," he told reporters on Wednesday.

He reserved particular praise for England's midfield anchor, Declan Rice, describing him as a player who consistently gives everything for the team. "He's someone who always gives absolutely everything for the team, always fighting for every single ball, bringing his energy to the pitch, to the team, driving the team forward. He can do so many things on the pitch. He can defend, he can attack, he can be physical, he can be good on the ball. He's a very complete player, so it's going to be a good test for all of us," Odegaard said.

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He's someone who always gives absolutely everything for the team, always fighting for every single ball, bringing his energy to the pitch, to the team, driving the team forward. He can do so many things on the pitch. He can defend, he can attack, he can be physical, he can be good on the ball. He's a very complete player, so it's going to be a good test for all of us.

Norway enters the quarter-final with confidence, fueled by their surprising victory over five-time champions Brazil in the previous round. Odegaard believes this success demonstrates that "anything can happen in football." He stated, "We're going to give it a good try, see what we can do and (are) looking forward to it. We have to have the belief in ourselves. We've shown the whole world that we're a good team. In football, anything is possible. Even though we're the underdogs again, let's see what happens and let's prepare well."

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I think Brazil (in the last 16) was the same, we were the underdogs and, as you saw, anything can happen in football. We're going to give it a good try, see what we can do and (are) looking forward to it. We have to have the belief in ourselves. We've shown the whole world that we're a good team. In football, anything is possible. Even though we're the underdogs again, let's see what happens and let's prepare well.