Martin Odegaard has transformed his approach this season and is driving Arsenal's strong start, with his more direct style paying immediate dividends. The Daily Mirror Football reports that the Norway midfielder and club captain has consciously moved away from a safer, sideways passing game to become a more decisive force in the final third.
This tactical shift is reflected in his output. Odegaard has already scored four goals this campaign, netting once in the Community Shield, twice in the Premier League, and adding a key strike in the Champions League away victory at Napoli. This marks a significant improvement on last season, where an ankle injury sustained on international duty in September 2024 and subsequent knee issues limited him to just one goal across all competitions. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville noted the previous pattern, saying, "He did get into a cycle of being too safe. If anything, he got into a languid, playing it sideways, playing the easy pass."
How did injuries affect Odegaard last season?
Odegaard's struggles were largely physical. According to the Independent Football, he failed to appear in 43 per cent of Arsenal's matches last term, missing 27 out of a possible 63 games. Teammate Declan Rice acknowledged the difficulty of that period, stating, "Last year, to have two shoulder injuries like he did, to have an MCL injury like he did, is tough for any player." Even when he returned for the run-in, he was not operating at his peak level, which contributed to a disjointed attacking unit.
What does his new role look like on the pitch?
The evidence was clear in the recent Champions League fixture. Against a Napoli side that were Italian champions just 14 months prior, Odegaard was Arsenal's engine. He attempted 107 passes, more than any other player on the pitch, and completed 92 of them, a tally second only to Rice. His work rate was also immense, covering 11.6 kilometres, which was joint-top for the match. This commanding performance helped Arsenal dominate, posting an expected goals (xG) figure of 4.05 while restricting Napoli to just 0.22.
Where does this leave Arsenal in the table?
The impact of a fit and firing Odegaard is a major reason Arsenal sit second in the Premier League with a perfect nine points from their opening three games. Mikel Arteta's side have scored six goals and conceded only one, giving them a healthy +5 goal difference as they prepare for their next challenge. You can track their progress in the standings throughout the season.
What are the remaining areas for improvement?
Despite the positive form, one curious statistic remains. In their five competitive matches this season-the Community Shield, three league games, and one in Europe-Arsenal have yet to score from a set-piece. This is an area the coaching staff will likely focus on as the campaign develops. Also, the recent win over Chelsea was significant as it marked the first time since December 2024 that Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka had started three consecutive league games together, highlighting the importance of consistency in selection.
The team now turns its attention to the next fixture, an away trip to face Sunderland on September 12. Sunderland currently occupy 12th place, and Arsenal will travel without the injured William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera, whose availability you can monitor on the club's injuries page. With Odegaard leading a refreshed and aggressive midfield, Arsenal's squad looks well-equipped to maintain their early momentum.
