Odegaard Says Arsenal ‘Want to Win Everything’ After Community Shield Success

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy as Arsenal's players celebrate their victory after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at The Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, south Wales on August 16, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy as Arsenal's players celebrate their victory after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at The Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, south Wales on August 16, 2026. (AFP)
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Odegaard Says Arsenal ‘Want to Win Everything’ After Community Shield Success

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy as Arsenal's players celebrate their victory after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at The Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, south Wales on August 16, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard lifts the trophy as Arsenal's players celebrate their victory after the English FA Community Shield football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at The Principality Stadium, in Cardiff, south Wales on August 16, 2026. (AFP)

Martin Odegaard warned Arsenal's rivals that the Premier League champions want to "win everything" after starting their season by sweeping aside Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Arsenal captain Odegaard delivered a man of the match performance capped by the final goal in his team's dominant 3-0 victory in Cardiff on Sunday.

Riccardo Calafiori netted Arsenal's opener after just 24 seconds and Kai Havertz was also on the scoresheet before half-time in the annual curtain raiser to the English top-flight season.

Just four months ago, Odegaard lifted Arsenal's first Premier League crown since 2004 after they finished seven points ahead of second-placed City.

The Norway midfielder believes the dynamic display against City, now managed by Enzo Maresca instead of Pep Guardiola, showed the north Londoners have not lost their hunger for silverware.

"We played some brilliant football. Great performance and a great way to start the season," Maresca said.

"We showed our level today. We're showed we're ready. We're serious and we want to do it again. We want to attack it. We want to do it again.

"When you get a taste of how nice it is you want to do it again. We want to win everything."

Installed as the bookmakers' favorites for a second successive title, Arsenal begin their Premier League charge at home to promoted Coventry on August 21.

- 'Things to work on' -

City open their bid for a first title since 2024 with a visit from Bournemouth on August 24 and Maresca admitted they have a lot to improve before then.

"We have many things to work on. The season's just started so there are many things we need to do better," he said.

"The goal we conceded after 24 seconds unfortunately affected the game. Disappointed with that because in this kind of game the level is so similar that when you concede a goal, it then becomes difficult."

Maresca endured the joint-heaviest defeat by a City manager in their first game in charge, tying a 4-1 loss for Harry Newbould's side against Arsenal in 1906.

It was also Maresca's joint-worst loss as a manager in England after a 3-0 defeat against Brighton during his time with Chelsea in 2025.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, City have only won two of their nine matches against Arsenal, showing the widening gap between them that Maresca must find a way to close.

"After the goal, the reaction was quite good. We had three or four chances to score and draw the game. Unfortunately, we conceded the second one and it became more complicated," he said.

"From next Sunday we start the Premier League and the focus has to be about that."



Complete Kane Hopes for 'Special Night' as Ballon d'Or Rumors Swirl

Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP
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Complete Kane Hopes for 'Special Night' as Ballon d'Or Rumors Swirl

Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is hoping for a "special night" at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in his hometown of London, where the England captain is the bookies' favorite.

The 33-year-old scored 73 goals for club and country, the second-best mark in history after Leo Messi's 82 in 2010-11.

But in continuing his habit of tormenting old foes Arsenal on Wednesday, the former Tottenham striker again demonstrated how complete a player he had become since moving to Germany in 2023, said AFP.

At one point dropping back to take goal kicks to ignite Bayern's attack, Kane also set up Alphonso Davies's first-half equalizer with a pinpoint long-range pass.

In the second-half, Kane won and then converted a penalty, giving Bayern the lead before England teammate Declan Rice scored late to grab a share of the spoils.

- Open field -

Kane is odds-on to claim what would be a first Ballon d'Or, but the outcome is anything but certain in one of the most open fields in recent memory.

The Bayern striker faces stiff competition from Spanish World Cup-winning duo Lamine Yamal and Rodri, along with France captain Kylian Mbappe and teammate Michael Olise.

While Yamal and Mbappe in particular have taken to the airways to extol their suitability for the award, Kane has been typically circumspect despite constant media questioning.

Repeatedly asked about his chances after Wednesday's star showing, Kane said: "I try not to think about it, obviously it's hard.

"There's rumors flying around so you try and stay away from it. I'm going to try and enjoy Monday night as much as possible. It's a big occasion and a big event."

Officially, there are three broad criteria upon which the Ballon d'Or is awarded: individual performances and impressive character, team performances and class/fairplay.

In recent years, recipients have either won the Champions League and/or World Cup, or have made their case through sheer weight of numbers -- with Kane clearly satisfying the latter criteria.

Long criticized for a failure to win team trophies at Tottenham, Kane brought his total to five with Bayern after last year's league and cup double, but the Bavarian giants' dominance of Germany may count against him.

Kane's Bayern made the semi-finals of the Champions League, going out narrowly to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

England finished third at the World Cup, with captain Kane scoring six times and laying on an assist.

- 'Ridiculous' Kane -

After scoring against Arsenal, Kane has at least one goal in each of his past 10 Champions League matches, one short of Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 11.

"Whenever you're in any conversation with Ronaldo it means you're doing something special, especially in this competition," Kane said.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Kane's team-focused efforts, saying: "What made Harry happy the most in recent years is that he finally won his first team trophies here.

"Now if he can crown his career or his season with the Ballon d'Or, that would be deserved for the way he plays for the team."

Arsenal's Declan Rice scored late to grab the visitors a share of the spoils, but saved special praise for his international captain after the match.

"Harry is the clear winner (of the Ballon d'Or). His numbers speak for themselves. The year he had is remarkable.

"For a striker to play that pass for their first goal then take the penalty how he did... he's ridiculous, he's such a good player."

Former Three Lions midfielder Steven Gerrard on Wednesday joined Jude Bellingham in calling Kane "arguably the best England player there's been" after Kane's masterclass against Arsenal.

Michael Owen was England's last Ballon d'Or winner, back in 2001, while another striker Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was the last Bayern player to claim the Ballon d'Or in 1981.

"Monday could be a special night, we'll have to wait and see," Kane said on Wednesday.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much, because we have important games and another one on Sunday.

"I know it's a massive event. I am looking forward to it for sure. Hopefully it'll be a special night."


Asian Football Endorses Infantino Re-election as FIFA President

President of the Asian Football Confederation speaking last year. Mohd RASFAN / AFP
President of the Asian Football Confederation speaking last year. Mohd RASFAN / AFP
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Asian Football Endorses Infantino Re-election as FIFA President

President of the Asian Football Confederation speaking last year. Mohd RASFAN / AFP
President of the Asian Football Confederation speaking last year. Mohd RASFAN / AFP

The head of the Asian Football Confederation on Friday said the region supported Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as FIFA president following weeks of fierce criticism of his aborted World Cup selloff plan.

The 56-year-old Swiss was present at a Tokyo meeting of the AFC when president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa gave his unequivocal backing.

Sheikh Salman had previously condemned Infantino over his plan to open FIFA's premium competitions such as the World Cup to private investors.

Infantino has faced calls to quit and had lost the support of many associations in his bid to be re-elected to a fourth and final term.

"I think that we reaffirm our full commitment, of course, to supporting you and your leadership as you seek a new mandate as FIFA president," said Sheikh Salman, in a significant boost to Infantino.

"I think you've visited a lot of countries in Asia. I've spoken to a lot of members within this continent.

"I know your feeling. And I think your commitment is clear as well. Your support to Gianni is very clear."

Hinting at previous discord, Sheikh Salman told the AFC Extraordinary Congress and Infantino: "Gianni, yes, we had some issues we spoke about in the past.

"But let's not relate the two things together. We need to move forward... football is strongest when we work together."


Bayern's Diaz Sidelined with Hamstring Injury after Arsenal Draw

Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal FC in Munich, southern Germany on October 21, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)
Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal FC in Munich, southern Germany on October 21, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)
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Bayern's Diaz Sidelined with Hamstring Injury after Arsenal Draw

Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal FC in Munich, southern Germany on October 21, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)
Bayern Munich's Colombian forward #14 Luis Diaz warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal FC in Munich, southern Germany on October 21, 2026. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)

Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz will be out of action for the "foreseeable future" after suffering a minor muscle tear in his left hamstring during Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with visiting Arsenal, the Bundesliga club said on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Colombia international came on in the 68th minute at ⁠the Allianz Arena ⁠but was forced off in stoppage time after suffering the injury.

Examinations carried out by Bayern's medical staff confirmed the hamstring tear, the club said ⁠in a statement.

"The 29-year-old forward will therefore be sidelined for the time being," Reuters quoted Bayern as saying.

Diaz's injury is a setback for Bayern as they enter a busy stretch of the season, with the winger having been a key attacking option since joining the German ⁠champions.

Bayern ⁠and Arsenal shared the spoils in the league-phase encounter on Wednesday, with Declan Rice scoring a late equalizer for the visitors to earn a point.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern next visit third-placed Freiburg, who are a point behind the champions after six games, on Sunday.