Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s quiet controller, raises the volume as Gunners cement Premier League lead

He may not be a flair player like Gabriel Jesus or have the same imposing impact as William Saliba, the centre back, but Odegaard has been quietly going about his work in the centre of the pitch in the same way that Arsenal have quietly turned themselves into title contenders.

Against a deep-lying Wolverhampton Wanderers defence he was key in breaking them down. Not only through his goals but through his tireless running and pressing off the ball, and his ability to effectively regain possession and kickstart an Arsenal attack.

Odegaard’s ability to fulfil the role as quiet controller has never been in doubt. Even last season when he was enduring a campaign of mixed form he was still a key creative hub. But to take his performances to the next level he needed to add goals to his game, a challenge that the Norwegian has gladly accepted this season.

“I think I’m better at coming into those areas now – I attack the box more. They may not be the most beautiful goals but I’m in the right places and that helps a lot. I’m always happy to help the team with goals,” Odegaard said after the match.

“It’s a good way to go into the break. We said before the game that we wanted to finish strong and we wanted to bring this good feeling into the break and we did that. We have to come back even stronger and better but at the moment, it’s looking good.”

His double against Wolves, which ensured Arsenal of their five-point cushion, made him the team’s top goalscorer this season, with six. He only needs one more to match his tally for the entirety of last season and with Jesus struggling for goals in the league, having not scored since October 1, it has been a much-needed boost for Arteta that his captain has found his scoring boots.

“That’s what you want – for your attacking midfielders to win games not only by assisting but by scoring goals,” Arteta said. “He’s changed that mentality and he’s practising a lot and he wants to get to his best. We don’t know where his limit is like many of the other kids that we have. That’s what we want – embrace the good moments and support them when they’re not that good.”

It is these small gains that have helped Arteta’s side maintain their position as league leaders heading into the break. With 12 wins and 37 points after 14 games it represents their best-ever start to a season and while the Arsenal manager is not getting carried away, they are in a position that many did not expect them to be at this stage.

The second half of the campaign is going to be an unknown entity for all the teams. How the World Cup will affect the players, their fitness levels, mentality and performances when they return nobody knows.

But, just as Manchester City hope to be aided by a fresh and firing Erling Haaland, Arteta can be confident in the knowledge that one of his best players will not be heading to the World Cup either. A fully fit Odegaard could be key to Arsenal’s title charge in the second half of the season. The 23-year-old, who has shown his leadership qualities after being handed the captain’s armband in the summer, is turning into the poster boy for Arsenal’s resurgence.

“Our focus is to be better every day and we still have things to improve,” Arteta said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been in this position, it’s a full transformation from the fans’ energy and passion that they’ve transmitted to these players. The unity from the top to every single member of the team and the staff, they [the fans] are the soul of this football club.”

With six weeks until their next league game the Premier League table will make for pleasant reading for Arsenal fans over the World Cup break.

– The Times

Originally published as Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s quiet controller, raises the volume as Gunners cement Premier League lead