An Ode to Odegaard

There are many reasons in this current Arsenal team to be beaming with pride.

But Martin Odegaard is perhaps the greatest Arsenal player in The Emirates era.

And it’s time we gave him the props he has earned and continues to do so.

We have William Saliba and Gabriel Maghalaes – not since the hallowed days of Toure and Campbell have we had a defensive pairing so effective at shutting out the opposition.

There’s Declan Rice – with a price tag of more than £100m, it would’ve been understandable if his first season to be a tad underwhelming. Instead, his quality at both ends of the pitch has shone through. So much so that Rice looks to be one of the cornerstones of this Arsenal team for the next five years or more.

Ben White has been consistency personified. Another who had a price tag that was levelled at him like criticism, White has been undroppable and if his circumstances with England were different, he would have been the first choice right-back, if common sense prevailed.

Then there’s Saka. Still only 22, he has shouldered hefty responsibility in big games and is so often the difference-maker. If he were ever to be refreshed and rested? Just imagine what his numbers would be. A genuine world-class talent that will only burn brighter as seasons go on.

And Odegaard is a big reason why these players are shining so brightly.

Odegaard is the brain of this side. He is an enabler, watching the shifting tides of a game and picking the most opportune moments to make his mark.

He stands up, he never relents. His pressing in the opponent’s third is one of the most satisfying elements of his game. Despite enjoying plaudits from his boss and the fans, Odegaard proves his hunger cannot be sated with his lung-bursting runs in chasing the ball. It is this part of his game that gives us possession in the most dangerous part of the pitch and it galvanizes his cohorts.

Odegaard is the example that others follow. His consummate professionalism. His refusal to accept anything other than 100%. It is abundantly clear to all those who have the pleasure of watching our skipper week in, week out, why he is Arteta’s first choice skipper.

The above parts of his game and character are enough for us Gooners to adore him. We love players who give a damn – and Odegaard clearly wants to give his all for the badge.

But when you throw in his elegance on the ball, his vision and spatial awareness?

It makes for the best player in an Arsenal shirt to walk The Emirates pitch.

It’s a bold statement – and he still needs another season or two to really cement it. But ever since Odegaard joined on loan in 2020 – when the Arsenal revolution was in its infancy – he has grown into a Rolls-Royce of a player.

Actually, that tag is something of a disservice to Odegaard. It infers that he is luxurious – which he is – but not intrinsic to everything a team does.

And Odegaard is embedded in the nucleus of our style. Our pressing of the opposition. Our insistence of passing to create space, to constantly search for that pocket of space that will create the opening to change a game.

Every move we make, Odegaard is involved. And while not the most vocal on the pitch, he can often be seen directing his teammates, pushing them forward for opposition goal kicks, waving his arms at us in the stands to make more noise – to make our home a fortress.

Odegaard’s stats make for good reading. And not just this season.

The Norwegian is amongst the hardest runners in the team, with only Declan Rice surpassing him in the distance covered stakes. He has the second highest assists in the team, the best passing accuracy, the 3^rd most shots on target – Odegaard is undroppable in every regard.

He is the yeast in our bread. He makes us rise, he composes our symphonies. He’s the embodiment of our desire to achieve something tangible with this incredible team. Arteta’s blueprint is wrapped around the well-spoken Scandinavian – who joined this club when it was difficult to see the vision of what Arteta wanted.

It’s now time to see if we can win something to immortalize Odegaard’s standing in Arsenal’s history. He seems happy to stay at the club and this is unsurprising given his growing stature at the club and the trajectory of the team. But to be remembered as one of the greats, he will have to win something with us.