Martin Odegaard scored his fourth goal in 5 matches with a decisive goal to help Arsenal defeat Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League. However, after the match, the Arsenal captain received a somewhat harsh reminder from Mikel Arteta.
Arteta was asked if Odegaard could maintain his current form and continue to play a decisive role in big matches, thereby helping Arsenal conquer titles or not.
First of all, he must be ready to play" - Arteta emphasized.
The answer seems simple, especially when Odegaard missed 27 out of Arsenal's 63 matches last season, equivalent to 43%. However, people close to Arteta and Odegaard believe this statement is a deliberate message.
That also coincides with Arteta's noteworthy statement after the 3-0 victory over Coventry City in the opening match of the season, when he said his captain "needs to prove himself".
That message is related to what Odegaard was reminded a lot last season, during the period when he tried to regain his best physical condition.
The Norwegian midfielder was asked to imagine the feeling of raising one of the major titles, standing in the center of the celebration photos and wondering what he needed to do to create influence, as well as get such memorable moments.
Those words may sound a bit harsh, especially when injuries are something players cannot completely control. But here there is also a psychological factor and confidence. Sometimes, a player needs to be motivated to continue moving forward. And Odegaard is said to have needed that.
If the traditional view is that the captain must be experienced, Odegaard brings other qualities. One of the reasons Arteta gave him the captain's armband is his ability to understand the tactical system better than any other player, and at the same time effectively convey those requirements to his teammates.
That is also the reason why Arsenal often becomes less coherent and lacks connection in attack when Odegaard is absent.
The Norwegian international is the link connecting everything. Other positions on the field operate around him. Odegaard is the leader in pressing situations and often initiates the first pressing phase.
Everything became more effective when Odegaard had Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz by his side. The fact that this trio has only started for the fourth time since December 2024 almost says it all.
That is also a factor showing that Arsenal is not only missing Odegaard for one season but for two consecutive seasons. Since suffering an ankle injury while on international duty in September 2024, he has not been able to maintain his previous form and constantly struggles with physical problems.
Arsenal has made major changes in the medical and fitness training team to limit the problems that once affected last season. In a sport where the gap between winning and losing is sometimes just a moment, the ability to maintain physical condition can make a very big difference.
The Gunners" clearly felt that last season, especially with their captain. Currently, Odegaard is completely healthy. He is creating a difference, scoring decisive goals and gradually becoming a player who can decide big matches for Arsenal.
