While Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe soaked up the headlines for their match-winning contributions against Brentford, Mikel Arteta made a point of heaping wholesome praise on fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Once again, the Norway international was the grease in Arsenal’s wheels, always eager to keep the ball moving and directing his teammates in and out of possession.
At 23, Odegaard still has much to learn but having played senior football since 16, he cuts a mature and responsible figure amongst the Gunners’ young bucks.
Ahead of a summer when Arteta will likely have to choose a new club captain, the Spaniard admits his summer signing will be in the mix for the role.
“He certainly has all the qualities to do that,” said Arteta. “Talking to his national team coach…how highly they speak of him.
“He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him. He is such a nice, humble guy. He leads with the way he is and it is very natural for him, and that will come.”
Having had a period earlier in the season where started several games on the bench, Odegaard really started to come into his own at the end of November. In the space of six games he was involved in six goals (three scored and three assisted) to consolidate his credentials as Arteta’s preferred number 10.
After last season’s loan spell at Emirates Stadium, the boss is clearly delighted the club could recruit the midfielder on a permanent basis at a very tidy price.
“We had a period with him where we could evaluate what Martin could bring to the club,” noted Arteta. “We had no doubts.
“The club was brilliant to secure him in a really convincing way. Martin was really happy to join us because he had a really good time, he felt valued, he enjoyed what we are doing, he got a really good connection with the players and the supporters.
“He wanted to be part of the project. Since then he is getting better and better, and I am not surprised.
“The way he lives his profession, the way he likes to play football and everything he does is to become better. He has still a big margin. He wants it probably more than anyone else on that pitch, every single day. He will be top top.
“He generated expectations when he was 16 as well. Everybody wanted him. And then he had to fulfil that in a club like Madrid, where the competition is like it is. It is extremely difficult but now he has found his place.
“He is really happy here, he has the environment. He has the people, he has the time on the pitch to enjoy it and I think that is what he is doing.”
Love him (he was great watching him from the crowd on Saturday), Martinelli, Saka and ESR. Already top players and still room for improvement.
Hopefully the bedrock of our side for many years to come.
Mix it with tomi, Ben white, Gabriel, Tierney, Ramsdale and Partey. We have to find the other pieces for the puzzle to seriously compete
We need 2 x Strikers , 2 x CM (if we get rid of Xhaka) and a quality back up RB in the summer…..then the puzzle is looking pretty promising !
I’m fine with keeping Xhaka as back-up, our summer plate is already quite full and he is a very professional player who could have a nice influence on our youngsters… as long as he’s not a regular starter.
Not sure he’d settle for being second choice on the bench. I know what you mean though, we need some senior players in the squad…..
The rumours of Fabian Ruiz make sense as a direct replacement as he’s left footed, and available for £16m. I’d love to see us get Neves or Bissouma as well to then have a pool of 4 strong CM players
Why shouldn’t Xhaka be a regular starter? Our improvement with results coincided with his return after injury. Also his partnership with Partey is bearing fruit.
Fabian Ruiz/ Mohamed Camara and Bellingham/ Youri
Here my suggestions for the missing puzzle while striker
Schick and Gakpo
As of RB, Brooke norty cuffy is doing great and could come back to sought that
I like the look of Spence…..he had Martinelli in his pocket in the FA cup and used to play with Smith Rowe as a kid
To me: Lokonga is also in that mix.
How do we feel about Guendouzi being reintroduced or do we not want that baggage?
The lad has talent and everyone – everyone – deserves a second chance. The question is: has he matured enough to have sorted his crap out?
And a certain William Saliba, let’s not forget!
A crazy thought: groom Saliba into defensive mid alongside Thomas. He’s left-sided, big and strong so seldom gets dispossessed, great feet and can beat a man and pick a pass.
Could be the next inspired positional switch-up?
Out of the new summer signings, MØ seemed to take the longest to find his feet and the form of last season. But he has been excellent for the last few months and has made the number 10 role his own.
He would make a great captain, and with Tierney’s slightly erratic form of late, I think he is a serious long term contender……especially if he helps convince his best mate Isak to join us in the summer 😉
I thought Haaland was his best mate?
either one!
both is unrealistic 😉
So I take it you don’t think Mbappe can join us on free? 😅
Isak is a definitely maybe
With MØ I think it’s a case of finding a manager who believed in him & having team mates around his own age cause he was poo-pooed as a publicity stunt at Madrid as soon as he signed so was never gonna be taken seriously by any manager there as neither Don Carlo or Zidane wanted him & I guess the senior players like Benzema/Ramos/Modric would’ve looked down on him as nothing but a kid(I don’t recall any Madrid players wishing him luck or even acknowledging him being sold). Thankfully he seems to have settled now & is making £30m… Read more »
Ødegaard is really a joy to watch. I feel the only thing holding him back the striker in front of him. Give this guy a striker with good movement, and we’ll see what he is all about. Something awesome is generally brewing at the Emirates. We might miss top 4 this season, but I wouldn’t be too disturbed about it, especially if we are in the Europa League. We should still find good players who can discern the trajectory of the team, and are willing to help push us to the next level. But top 4 would be a glorious… Read more »
We had a striker renowned for his runs. He scored a hattrick on the weekend. I’d suggest we’re after a forward who can hold the ball up given our pursuit of Vlahovic. Laca tries hard and does ok most of the time but a genuine physical presence up front will make a huge difference.
Agree. With the kind of mobile players we have now up front, a hold-the-ball striker must be our priority. Especially with Ramsdale’s accuracy in finding his target.
I must confess his first goal yesterday left me with mixed feelings. Reminded me of his goal against Tottenham from Ramsey’s assist.
I also think it is down a new environment: everything seemed to have gone stale for him in North London. What with all the difficulties: malaria, mother’s illness, Covid, poor form, disciplinary problems and the consequent loss of captaincy, strained relationship with manager and others we may never know.
What is sure is that he wasn’t doing it for us anymore.
For the first time in a while, he actually looked happy on a football pitch. I’m not gonna portion the blame on player or manager but I think both sides needed a fresh start
HFB for a million… and we turned the other way. Tammy for 32m – likewise.
I’d love to have HFB mack for 1m. Tammy for 32m? I’ll pass
The first half vs Brentford was all about Ödegaard, such a lovely player who also seems humble and hard working
I look forward to seeing him play every game. One of the most aesthetically pleasing styles of football, reminiscent of Tomas Rosicky. Definitely captain material.
I still dream of a fully fit Rosicky
partnered by Diaby ( deep sigh)
Rosicky, Diaby, Eduardo… What could have been… )’:
+ Ramsey and Wilshire.
+ Santi!
What a player he was when fit & on form. Oh what a midfield him & Santi could’ve been if they were both fit 🥲
Odegaard is the Warlord.
Crumbs I’m so tired I thought you wrote Watford lol not warlord 😮 but yes he is awesome
Yeah yeah, I’ll say it again for the doubters who ripped me a new one when I first wrote it here (8 months ago):
he will be one of our great captains… he will also become an Arsenal legend…
watch this space.