Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says winning the Community Shield was the perfect lead-up to the Premier League kickoff.

Arsenal defeated Manchester City a Wembley last Sunday ahead of today's clash with Nottingham Forest.

Odegaard wrote in his match programme notes: "We're all so excited for the start of the new season, and can't wait to be back playing in front of you all again today.

"There's a big excitement and confidence around the club at the moment, and we're all looking forward to continuing the strong progress we made last season. We're all hungry and determined, and just want to get going now, get back to it and fight for everything again. Our focus is on making sure we are the best we can be every day.

"Sunday was a fantastic day for us, a beautiful day. It was my first ever time at Wembley Stadium and to play there and see so many happy Arsenal supporters, then of course to lift the trophy, made it a really, really special day. We enjoyed the celebrations with the supporters afterwards, and with our teammates, and it's great to help the new players settle in too.

"We face Nottingham Forest today, and it still feels very recent, our defeat against them at the end of last season. So that's a big warning for us, and we have to show we've learnt from that. We had a great game against them here at home last season – especially the last hour of that game was really good – but the away game was the day we lost the league officially."