Martin Odegaard – “It’s Been Easier for Me to Help Viktor Gyokeres”

Ødegaard on Gyokeres: “Helping Him Settle Has Come Naturally”

When a new player walks into a dressing room, especially one as tight-knit as Arsenal’s, the first few days can be a whirlwind. New faces, unfamiliar routines, a different pace. But for Viktor Gyokeres, there was one familiar anchor waiting, and it was Martin Ødegaard.

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The Arsenal captain didn’t hesitate to make his Scandinavian compatriot feel right at home. A personal letter greeted Gyokeres on day one, a simple gesture with a lot of meaning. And speaking ahead of the Gunners’ pre-season clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Ødegaard reflected on how that natural connection has eased Gyokeres’ transition.

“With the language and everything, it's been easier for me to help him,” Ødegaard shared with arsenal.com. “We can speak our own language. Scandinavians, they always bond well together. So, in that way, it's been really natural.”

There’s a quiet pride in Ødegaard’s voice when he talks about the culture inside the Arsenal camp. The captain knows from experience how powerful a warm welcome can be.

Ødegaard on Gyokeres: “Helping Him Settle Has Come Naturally”

“Every new player, we try to help them in the best possible way. That's what I felt when I came here,” he added. “I felt at home straight away. I felt how good the culture and environment was to get into. Everyone wants to help you and get the best out of you.”

Off the pitch, those little things matter. The shared meals, the open conversations, the team spirit that builds when nobody feels like an outsider. Ødegaard sees that as part of his responsibility, and Gyokeres, by all indications, is settling in well.

“So far, he's having a good time, I think,” Ødegaard said with a smile. “You can also see the hunger, the energy he brings. I'm really excited to have him with the team. He's only trained a few times, but you can already see the quality, the energy, and the willingness.”

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Gyokeres arrives at Arsenal following a standout season at Sporting CP, and Ødegaard has clearly taken notice. “He's a very complete player. He's physical, strong, fast, a good finisher, and intelligent as well. I think he's a very complete striker.”

At Sporting, Gyokeres scored ninety-seven goals in 102 games, registering 26 assists.

But while all eyes are naturally on the new striker, Ødegaard has been equally invested in guiding two even younger names through Arsenal’s pre-season tour: 15-year-olds Max Dowman and Marli Salmon.

“They're so young and have so much quality,” Ødegaard said. “I try to share my experience, guide them in the right direction, help them keep the right mindset. You can see the quality is obviously there. We're all just trying to help them feel good in the team and let them shine.”

Ahead of Arsenal’s first-ever North London Derby played outside of the UK, the excitement in the camp is palpable. The match might be a friendly on paper, but the energy suggests something more.

“I love it, and I think we all do,” said Ødegaard of the upcoming match against Spurs. “It’s been a while since we’ve played this type of game, so I think that’s what we all want. It’s a proper test, and something that means a little bit more.”

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It’s not just the competition that’s leaving an impression—it’s the fans. From the moment the team landed, the support has been overwhelming.

“The reception we’ve had here has been amazing,” Ødegaard said. “We arrived at the hotel and there were people everywhere, shirts everywhere. Around 20,000 came just to watch us train. That kind of love and support really means something to us.”

As Arsenal gears up for the derby, Ødegaard’s steady leadership continues to show—not only in the way he sets the tone on the pitch, but in the way he makes others feel at home, whether they’re fresh from Portugal or straight out of the academy.