“You used to be a bit of an asshole!” Martin Odegaard pokes fun at Norwegian team-mate Erling Haaland, joking he was ‘so childish’ when they were young – as the Arsenal skipper prepares to face the Man City star in a huge title fight
- Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland shined in the Premier League this year
- The pair are teammates for Norway after coming through the ranks together
- However, the Arsenal skipper joked that they were taking time to become good friends
Martin Odegaard joked that he initially thought Erling Haaland was a ‘little b******’ when he first met the Manchester City striker.
The pair have since become good friends after growing up together in the Norwegian football ranks.
They’ve been arguably the top two players in the Premier League this season, with Haaland scoring a staggering 32 goals – matching Mohamed Salah’s record in a 38-game season – while Odegaard has taken Arsenal to a surprise title challenge led.
Haaland has been a revelation since moving to the Etihad in a £51 million deal despite interest from Man United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG.
And in a documentary on how he joined City entitled ‘The Big Decision’, Odegaard reflected on his relationship with the striker and opened up about his first impression of Haaland when they were called up for an Under-21 match against Germany in October. 2018.
Martin Odegaard (left) joked that he initially thought Norwegian teammate Erling Haaland (right) was a ‘little bastard’ when they first met (pictured while on duty in Norway in 2019)
They have become close friends and have played a major role in the Premier League this year
“You’ve changed a bit,” he joked during the documentary about Haaland, who was laughing next to Odegaard at the time.
‘In the beginning you were more of a little asshole. You were so childish. You have matured in recent years.
“But you saw it in the first (international) camp, in the videos when you dance and sing.
“Looks like you’re 12 years old and the biggest little b******. Honestly!’
The pair face each other in a potential title decider on Wednesday, when the Gunners travel to City, with Mikel Arteta’s side five points ahead but having played two games more.
And the now old friends will have to be rivals for 90 minutes, but the Arsenal captain also explained how he came to understand Haaland and his behaviour.
Odegaard added, “I don’t think he does things because he thinks they’re really cool.
“But maybe he wants to get a reaction and maybe be a little funny. I just laugh at him. I don’t take it seriously when he does crazy things.
“He could walk in with sick shoes or a sick bag, but I’m not like, ‘Here’s Erling, he loves this.'”
Odegaard has led Arsenal to the top of the table with his superb displays from midfield
Haaland has had a remarkable debut season at City, scoring 48 goals in all competitions