Halfway into the season after guiding them to the top of the Premier League with a seven-point lead, there was little doubt over whether a young Martin Odegaard could shoulder the captain’s armband for Arsenal.
Odegaard, who turned 24 last month, has been Arsenal’s most influential player this season, boosting confidence in midfield and fueling the club’s first real title challenge in years.
He leads the club’s scoring charts with seven league goals and five assists to boot, eclipsing his overall tally from the previous campaign in just 15 games.
He was front and center again on Saturday as Arsenal extended their lead over defending champions Manchester City with a 4-2 win at Brighton & Hove Albion to end 2022 on a high and underline their title credentials Did.
The Norwegian scored Arsenal’s second goal, but impressed even more with a jaw-dropping assist from his own half for the fourth goal: a first-time through ball that split open the defense and headed in for Gabriel Martinelli.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson said, “Martin Odegaard knows what he’s doing before this ball arrives … Not many people see that pass, he’s probably the only player on the pitch who sees it “
“(City’s) Kevin De Bruyne sees it, Odegaard sees it. But I don’t think any other player in the Premier League sees it openly.”
After initially signing the midfielder on loan from Real Madrid, the 35 million euros ($37.46 million) Arsenal paid to make his move permanent now looks a steal.