This season, Martin Ødegaard has received his share of criticism. Injuries and occasional lack of flow in the game from the captain have led “experts” to report that Arsenal need a captain other than the Norwegian. Mikel Arteta has scoffed at the criticism and reiterated to the point of boredom how crucial captain Ødegaard is to have on the pitch, in the dressing room and on the training ground. On Tuesday, the champagne popped, when Arsenal – with Ødegaard as captain – had won the Premier League title before the last league round. This confirms that the Norwegian is Arsenal’s most successful signing in many, many years.
We take a look back at Arsenal with and without captain Ødegaard. Cesc Fàbregas and Robin van Persie both left Arsenal at the peak of their careers, while they were captains. Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker struggled with constant injuries and could not play regularly during their time as captains of the London club.
READ: Martin Ødegaard knew it already in February!
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Laurent Koscielny faced internal problems in the team towards the end of their captaincy, and both left the club on poor terms. The Arsenal fans went through many difficult seasons because of the problems with these captains.
Martin Ødegaard came to Arsenal during a period of crisis. He took responsibility and stepped in as captain when the team needed guidance the most. His leadership felt like a real reward for everything the Arsenal supporters had endured. – It has become a series with 2nd places in the Premier League. Before this week, where Manchester City with their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth gave up the opportunity to threaten Arsenal before the final round of the league
Arsenal paid up to a total of €40 million for Ødegaard in a move from Real Madrid, but they got much more than just a talented footballer. They signed a mentally strong leader. He leads by example, supports his teammates, and handles situations with composure and intelligence. Everything that the bosses at the Santiago Bernabeu had missed.
It didn’t take long before Arsenal supporters called the Ødegaard signing “the big steal”. With Arteta on the sidelines and captain Ødegaard out on the pitch, Arsenal have been laying stone upon stone since 2021 – to give supporters the euphoric joy of winning the Premier League title for the first time since 2003/04.
Read on F7: Manchester City prepare the place for world champion Enzo Maresca
Ødegaard grew with Arsenal and fully understands the club’s values. He has proven that he deserves the captain’s armband both at Arsenal and for Norway Signing Martin Ødegaard is still Mikel Arteta’s most successful contract as Arsenal manager.
