On fire! Two words that barely manage to capture what Martin Ødegaard delivers in the Arsenal shirt at the start of the season. This summer, several English media claimed that the Norwegian was a candidate to be “sacrificed” in the transfer market. We have laughed at the whole thing. On Tuesday, another explanation came as to why Arsenal reward their captain.
Martin Ødegaard is already earning well, but a salary of over £12 million. Arsenal have started negotiations with Declan Rice, Jurriën Timber, Martin Ødegaard and manager Mikel Arteta about new contracts. “There is little doubt that they will all get better terms than today.
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New radar pair! – Christos Tzolis set up perfectly and another assist to Martin Ødegaard.
Because on Tuesday, Martin Ødegaard was the match winner when his goal sunk Napoli in the Champions League – his fourth goal so far this season.
“It feels good. Very good. First of all, I’m very happy to be on the field. Last season I had a lot of tough moments with injuries. It was tough for me. I’m so happy to be on the court and feel good and fit. I’m very happy,” Ødegaard told CBS on Wednesday night.
Martin Ødegaard was as usual humble when he was once again named the best player of the match.
Last season was marked by injuries. In total, Ødegaard missed thirty games with seven injury absences, and the Norwegian admits that he struggled to find his rhythm.
“There were several setbacks, and I played without feeling 100 percent. But now I feel really good. I came into the World Cup feeling good, had a good World Cup and then into the season here,” says the Arsenal captain.
Sky Sports commentator Paul Merson was impressed and says that it feels like Martin Ødegaard is a new £100 million signing. – The truth is that the “experts” thought after last season that the Norwegian was done and that the best thing Arsenal could do was to sell, just as wrong they can be!.
Mikel Arteta was clearly pleased with his captain on Wednesday.
“He contributes with goals and that’s what we want from our attacking players: that they are decisive. He was again today,” Arteta said of Ødegaard after the game.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is clearly impressed by what he sees from the Norwegian.
“I see the Ødegaard I saw a couple of years ago, who dictates the game,” says Henry.
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“He looks like a real class player,” Henry’s former teammate Martin Keown said on TNT Sport on Wednesday.
Jamie Carragher asked Ødegaard if he feels different mentally after winning the Premier League.
“I think so. We feel different, and we feel stronger. You have to learn from what you experience. Winning the Premier League gives a different self-confidence, and we feel strong,” says Ødegaard.
The captain points to defending as a key to Arsenal’s strong form.
“It’s something we’ve worked a lot on. There’s a lot of focus on how to defend without the ball,” he says.
“I think we have shown in the last few games that we have taken big steps with the ball,” Ødegaard adds.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also full of praise, especially about the interaction between Ødegaard and Tzolis.
“The chemistry between the attacking players has been exceptional. You can see how they look after each other, and tonight is a good example of that,” Arteta said.
Mikel Arteta has always said how crucial – not just important – captain Ødegaard has been to Arsenal’s success last season, which was built on the job the Norwegian has done since he was appointed captain in July 2022. The Community Shield final, three Premier League games and the first Champions League game in league play into the new season, Ødegaard’s criticism from last season has completely quieted down. Now the captain will make up the trio that ensures continuity and titles for Arsenal.
On Tuesday, Arsenal were to test themselves against Napoli, where Kevin de Bruyne would help stop his former rival – something he had done season after season in a City shirt. This time, the Belgian could not stop the London club. A cannon shot from captain Ødegaard in the 75th minute decided it all to a 0-1 victory for Arsenal. – It was Christos Tzoli’s third assist for Martin Ødegaard since he joined Arsenal at the end of July from Club Brugge on a transfer worth €40 million.
Scoring in the Community Shield final. Scoring in two Premier League games. Scoring in the Champions League. Not only is Ødegaard leading the Arsenal squad to victories, but the finisher and match-winner Ødegaard is back!
Earlier this week, Teamtalk reported that Arsenal will “commence contract renewal talks with Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber in an attempt to protect the core of Mikel Arteta’s title-winning squad. Arteta is determined to hold on to his main stars as the Gunners begin to defend the Premier League title they won last season, ending a 22-year wait. Arsenal’s recent approach has been to reward key players quickly, rather than allowing speculation to build up as they enter the final two years of their contracts.”
Martin Ødegaard once again showed why he should – and must – be part of the foundation going forward for Arsenal. Fully deserved!
