Erling and “Ødda”, as they themselves call each other, have perhaps been the league’s two best players this season. Haaland has 25 goals and four assists, Ødegaard with eight goals and five assists. – It is absolutely fantastic to see Martin doing as well as he has done at Arsenal. He has hit it perfectly with the club choice and gets to use his best qualities, says Erling Braut Haaland in the Klokkepodden podcast. – It is fantastic for us Norwegians. I also think it’s special since I play with him and it’s cool to see. It’s also cool to become rivals this year since we compete against each other, says Haaland. National team manager Ståle Solbakken predicts a very open showdown between his two students’ teams. – I think it will be very close and even, where perhaps it is a single performance from one of ours that decides the match, says Ståle Solbakken to news. MEET IN THE FA CUP: Martin Ødegaard and Erling Braut Haaland met in the FA Cup on 27 January. Then Manchester City won 1-0. Photo: Dave Thompson / AP Keeping in touch daily The two Norwegian superstars will probably be important in the match which could be decisive in the title race to win the Premier League. But regardless of the outcome, it will take a lot to affect their good friendship off the pitch. – I am good friends with Martin. He’s a wonderful guy. I wish him every success. It’s fantastic when Norwegians do well, and I hope there are many others who come up and forward and many who want to, says Haaland. – Do you send each other messages or snap after a match?, Haaland is asked about in Klokkepodden. – Yes, we joke with each other a lot. We talk almost every day. It’s cool, and it makes me proud as a Norwegian, of course, says Jærbuen. GOOD FRIENDS: Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard quickly found the tone in the national team. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB – We have talked a lot, but not brought up this match. It is an important match between two teams that have a history between them, says Ødegaard to the PA news agency. – I am not surprised by what he (Haaland) has achieved. I have followed him over many years and know that he is a fantastic player and incredible goalscorer, says the Arsenal captain. National team manager Solbakken is happy that his captain and vice-captain have found the tone. – It’s probably mostly that they hang out a lot and are the same age. They have had a lot of contact with each other over time. It’s natural, and then they live in a world that they can’t talk to as many others with, perhaps, so it might be good to talk to each other a bit about it, says Solbakken. DUO: In the national team, Haaland’s and Ødegaard’s interaction has flourished. On Wednesday, they are competitors. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB Haaland unsure about the match news’s football expert Åge Hareide is clear about how important the match on Wednesday is. Arsenal lead the league with three points behind Manchester City. The London team has played one less game. – It turns out violently if one team wins. It’s a six-point game. On the mental side, the fact that you overcome your nearest competitor will mean a lot and you will take that with you further into the season, says Hareide. TRÖKK: Haaland had to be replaced after this clash with Martinez in Sunday’s game. Photo: PHIL NOBLE / Reuters Haaland was hit in a duel with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in the match on Sunday. He was then replaced after 45 minutes played. – I don’t think he’s injured, but we’ll see tomorrow. Hopefully he can play on Wednesday. If there is a risk, then he will not play, said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the match against Arsenal. The most important thing for the former and the current national team manager is that the two Norwegian stars arrive healthy for the national team meeting in March. THINKING ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY IN MARCH: National team manager Ståle Solbakken. Here with his two star players. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB – But what is fantastic is that we have two Norwegians who have been in the main role for two top teams in England, and that is a rare treat, says Hareide. – Do you think there will be a bit of teasing from whoever wins the match at the next national team meeting?, asks news Solbakken. – I think they will wait with that teasing until the league is over. They probably have to hold back a bit on that, smiles Solbakken.
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