Martin Ødegaard spent the majority of Sunday afternoon on the bench, so is it a coincidence that he responded on Wednesday with easily his best individual performance of 2025?
The 26-year-old has increasingly become a scapegoat throughout the year, with some Gooners even suggesting the captain’s armband should be removed from his arm.
Our skipper admits there was nothing coincidental about his display in the Champions League, as he revealed he was inspired by the new competition for places at the Emirates.
This was leading by example in terms of attitude, showing his peers what to do when given an opportunity – make yourself impossible to drop for the weekend.
This time last year the Norwegian got injured and there was always a sense he was rushed back before he was ready because Mikel Arteta did not have many other options.
So while most players want to play every game, our midfielder might be relieved that he is no longer solely responsible for being the creative outlet for the team.
That is a lot of pressure to put on one person, which is why I think he was overthinking his final ball or shot in the final third.
A More Flexible Role
Safe in the knowledge that help was available from the bench and with the comfort zone removed, it was noticeable that Ødegaard changed his position against Olympiacos.
In fact there were a few roles that interchanged against the Greek champions, making Arsenal less predictable.
Ødegaard was dropping deeper to demand possession and then played passes with such perfect weight and accuracy that it was like he was playing golf.
This, remember, is a talent who many assumed had lost confidence.
In reality, it seems he simply needed competition because now he knows he is not guaranteed to start every week, no matter what.
The best players respond positively to a competitive environment.
A Skipper’s Mentality
I am not saying he is one of the best in the world, but it certainly appears that Ødegaard’s supposed loss of mojo has been greatly exaggerated.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Dan Smith
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There’s is no doubt our Captain have raised his game since the arrival of Eze.
Yes, but maybe he was also instructed by Arteta to play more centrally in the final-third
Nwaneri has been playing well too in the right-sided AM position, hence Odegaard’s riskier moves and passes to be more productive
Has he ?
Yes, Odegaard produced an assist, a pre-assist and two shots on goal against Olympiakos
No I meant Nwaneri playing well
Yes he has
He does appears to be playing with renewed vigor and sharpness, this could be due to the competitive pressure and added attacking threat brought by the arrival of the former Crystal Palace Man.
Please note, he was ask a similar question in an interview and though he answered the question intelligently, there was a smirky little smile on his face.
With Eze adding depth, creativity, and individual quality to Arsenal to our attacking options. Captain Odegaard is arguably performing with greater intensity, making more decisive forward passes and displaying the influential controls of the midfield that we all know he’s capable of.
The increase competition for places is a massive factor not only pushing our Captain but every player at present.
I couldn’t believe how excellent he was last night, especially in the first half.
I’ve been one of his biggest critics, but credit where credits due. That’s the Odegaard that we need to see. More of that and there won’t be any complaints from me.
Hopefully it’s the start of his rise again and he gives us this good performance and more consistently.
This was the level we knew he was capable of playing at compared to last season. And yes, no doubt having more players to compete against for positions is pushing everyone. There are so many options now in attack. Saka is really the only guaranteed starter, and once Kai is back Gyokeres will be under pressure too. Odegaard in good form is such a joy to watch
A mixture of competition , new players like Gyokeres making better attacking runs and also time to rest / recuperate with a larger squad
Onwards and upwards.
No complacency this weekend against the Hammers…they’ve beaten is last two years at home !
As he said himself the competition is a factor. Last season in particular was so fractured by the various long term injuries that there was little chance to build on previous partnerships (him, Saka and White). I have never doubted his commitment and work rate but the spark was missing. I don’t think he was nearly as bad as has been suggested though, perhaps having too much to do within the setup with so many absent
This season is a different kettle of fish and reminiscent last night of a couple of seasons ago – and that applies across the board. It seems like a reawakening with the new and newish faces blending well. He was always my choice of captain when the opinion was to let him step down.
The rumours of dØdegaard’s demise were always exaggerated. Certainly his form dropped off last year but it wasn’t just down to a lack of competition as we all know. While that competition for places helps motivate a player, so surely does having a stronger/deeper team all around them, because trust and positivity is being built.
Specifically in Ødegaard’s case, he’s not required to join the defense as much this season, giving him more freedom to play the attacking creator role he was born for. Arteta has instructed him to adjust his game again and the results are exciting.
Someone pointed out on Reddit the other day that Joe Devine on the Athletic’s Tifo podcast picked Ødegaard as his first draft pick of EPL players, among all of them, if he were to build a fantasy team. Whatever you think of Joe – he knows his EPL football. We’ve got a player in Øde.
👍
Against West Ham –
Gyokeres.
Eze. Odegaard. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
This is the way. I might switch Eze for Trossard though, and sub him in later for Øde. Sub Trossard for Martinelli.
OR –
Gyokeres.
Trossard. Odegaard. Saka.
Eze. Rice.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
Odegaard is more comfortable playing deeper than Eze , he really is more of an 8 than a 10 in the way he contributes to build up and knit things together while Eze is the kind of player you want closer to the box because of his ability to take shots,combine with others or pick a pass- he is more forward than midfielder. So I would swap them in this formation.Odegaard is more defensively aware than Eze as well,which is useful deeper.
Olypiakos were wide open first half and Odergaard was better without Saka on the right, he was more central. Second half was a bit harder for him as Olypiakos tweaked their system a bit and shut the midfield down more.
It’s only to protect his place from Eze and his captaincy. Eze factor! Advantage Arsenal anyway. Arteta if he opts for double 10 v West Ham fielding both we could see plenty of goals with Gyo enjoying delivery from anywhere. I commented on Dan’s predictions but not seen maybe I shouldn’t have undermined Dan’s narrow 1-0 prediction which I got like underestimating the vast striking options of this Arsenal side.
Id love to see a midfield of Eze, Rice and Ode in the EPL
Eze 10 with Ode at 8 play making with Rice at DM
That is a great midfield, with Martinelli on the left, Saka on the right and Gyokores up front. 💪 Any of our back four combination is solid defensively so teams will always find it hard to score against us but with a midfield and forward line up like this, who wouldn’t be scared? ❤️🤍
Class is permanent. Wonder who the next scape goat will be.
So far, we’ve had, Martinelli, Trossard, Odegaard, Merino, Gyokeres and Zubimendi as scapegoats Sensible Gooner and we’re only a few games in!!
Give it time and Mikel Arteta will be on the hit list… but wait?!
Oh I forgot… the medical team, our set piece coach and the Kronkie family as well 😔
Almost forgot about the medical team Ken, hard to keep up!
🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱