'If you went back to that kid, you'd see that he always believed in himself. He believed he was going to make it' Martin Odegaard exclusive: Arsenal's title-winning captain reflects on his journey to the Premier League

Martin Odegaard reflected on his path from Norway to North London after Arsenal’s league title win. He became the first Arsenal captain since Patrick Vieira in 2004 to win the league in North London and the first to do so in the Emirates Stadium era. He described how a younger version of himself would likely not be shocked by reaching the Premier League because he always believed he would make it as a footballer. He said he would be happy to see himself playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world in the toughest league and preparing for the next World Cup. His father, Hans Erik Odegaard, supported his development, including funding a pitch for his youth team and helping train him before his move to Real Madrid as a teenager.

"Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been reflecting on his journey from Norway to North London, following the Gunners' title victory. Odegaard is the first Arsenal skipper since Patrick Vieira in 2004 to win the league in North London and the first of the Emirates Stadium era, with the stadium having opened 20 years ago this summer."

"Speaking exclusively with FourFourTwo, the Norway international reflected his journey from a gravel pitch to the Premier League and the influence of his father, Hans Erik, a fellow professional footballer. You may like While most players have pinch me' moments throughout their career, Arsenal's captain has told FourFourTwo that if you were to tell a younger Odegaard that he would be playing in the Premier League one day, it may not come as a shock."

"I don't know if he'd be surprised, Odegaard says. If you went back to that kid, you'd see that he always believed in himself. Martin Odegaard has gone from Drammen, Norway, to becoming a Premier League-winning captain (Image credit: Getty Images) He believed he was going to make it, that he was going to be a footballer. So he'd probably say, I was right.' There would be a few things he'd be surprised about, of course, but I think he would be happy; happy to see where I am now to be playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in what's probably the toughest and biggest league in the world, and in the next World Cup! Yes, he'd be happy."

"With Odegaard's father a renowned player at Stromsgodset in Drammen, Norway the club that Odegaard Jr made his debut for at just 15 years and 118 days, becoming the youngest player ever to take the pitch in Norway's top flight. Hans Erik Odegaard even funded a pitch for his son's youth team while helping to train the boy who would go on to be signed by Real Madrid as a teenager"

Read at www.fourfourtwo.com