Martin Odegaard insists his friendship with Erling Haaland remains intact despite tensions flaring during Arsenal’s previous clash with Manchester City earlier this season.
The two sides will renew their rivalry this weekend, having played out a dramatic encounter in September.
A stoppage-time goal from John Stones denied the Gunners at the Etihad before tempers boiled over after the final whistle.
Haaland, caught in the heated exchange, told Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to “stay humble,” sparking further confrontation between players.
The Norwegian striker is set to be a prime target for the Emirates crowd when the reigning champions visit north London on Sunday.
However, Martin Odegaard – who shares a strong bond with Haaland as his Norway teammate – has downplayed the incident, emphasizing that emotions often run high in competitive fixtures.
The Arsenal captain said: “We are good friends.
“Him and a few of the other boys from the national team, we have a little group chat, so we stay in touch there and we speak every now and then.
“We haven’t spoken about the game, but he is a good friend, so I speak to him.
“I think in football, games like this, the emotions are so high and the adrenaline is there and everything.
“So, that’s something that can happen on the pitch and then when you walk off the pitch, then you are done with it.
“It is not something I think too much about.
“But then, I think a lot of the players know each other from the national team – England, Brazil, me with Erling – so on the pitch and off the pitch it is a bit different.
“When we are on the pitch, then it’s a good battle.”
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