4 weeks ago
Mikel Arteta's determination to sanction Martin Odegaard arsenic Arsenal skipper successful July 2022 was met pinch immoderate scepticism astatine nan time, but it has proved to beryllium a changeable of genius.
The 25-year-old has led by illustration some connected and disconnected nan section and could go nan first Gunners skipper to assistance nan Premier League title since Patrick Vieira successful 2004.
Since arriving astatine Emirates Stadium from Real Madrid successful January 2021, initially connected loan, Odegaard has made a immense effect successful northbound London.
BBC Sport looks astatine really nan power of Odegaard, who besides captains his state Norway, has continued to turn during nan Gunners' title-chasing campaign.
A decade ago, it was Arsenal leader Arteta who captained nan Gunners for 2 seasons until his status successful 2016, making him 1 of nan champion judges of characteristic for assigning Odegaard to nan role.
The Norwegian took complete pursuing nan departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and interim skipper Alexandre Lacazette.
When Odegaard was appointed skipper, Arteta said: "What I've seen complete nan past 18 months since he's been pinch us, he's represented nan values of this shot club, nan team, nan team-mates and nan unit successful nan champion imaginable way.
"He's besides nan skipper of his nationalist squad and I deliberation it was nan correct call, and I'm proud to denote that because I deliberation he's a really bully personification to present that committedness to nan club."
But it was a determination that came arsenic a astonishment to immoderate supporters.
"I was a spot taken aback, purely based connected his age," says Arsenal instrumentality and YouTuber Pippa Monique.
"At 23, we are usually supporting 1 of our newest Hale End graduates connected their first afloat elder season. But we person seen nan awesome uplift successful squad performance, results and morale since Odegaard has sported nan armband. Long whitethorn it proceed and improve."
Odegaard has been a sparkling illustration for his team-mates to travel this season, pinch nan playmaker contributing 8 goals and 8 assists successful nan apical flight.
And he has led by illustration erstwhile necessary, scoring nan opening extremity successful 4 Premier League matches this term.
The Norway world besides stepped up to people nan first punishment of nan shootout arsenic Arsenal hit Porto to scope nan Champions League quarter-finals for nan first clip successful 14 years past month.
"I for illustration to return nan first footwear successful those shootouts, I deliberation that's important for maine to do that, and to effort to make judge we commencement well. I bask that responsibility," he said successful Arsenal's lucifer programme earlier nan first limb of their quarter-final necktie against Bayern Munich.
Odegaard was past named subordinate of nan lucifer successful nan 2-2 draw pinch Thomas Tuchel's side, creating nan astir chances (five), making nan astir passes successful nan last 3rd (29) and an wide passing accuracy of 88%.
It is not conscionable astatine nine level that Odegaard's talents are recognised.
Speaking earlier Arsenal's goalless tie pinch title rivals Manchester City, their young guardant and Odegaard's chap countryman Oscar Bobb said: "It is simply a dream to play pinch Martin. Having 1 of nan world's champion number 10s adjacent to maine makes it overmuch easier."
In nan 2-0 triumph complete Wolves past week Odegaard sealed nan triumph successful stoppage time, finishing from an acute perspective to go conscionable nan 2nd Arsenal subordinate to registry 50 Premier League extremity involvements (31 goals, 19 assists) during Arteta's tenure.
He past followed this up pinch a sublime performance, providing 2 superb assists arsenic Arsenal thrashed London rivals Chelsea 5-0 astatine nan Emirates connected Tuesday.
Odegaard showed his dedication to nan Gunners by signing a caller statement successful September 2023, which will support him astatine nan nine for different 5 years.
"Martin is captious to link everything successful nan measurement we play," said Arteta earlier this season.
Asked really overmuch Odegaard drives nan squad arsenic captain, he added: "A lot. He's made immense steps. His presence, nan measurement he is behaving himself successful beforehand of nan group and nan standards that he sets is outstanding."
He has go a patient favourite for nan Emirates faithful, too.
Monique calls him a subordinate "any instrumentality and head would want to skipper their team", adding he is simply a "marvel talent successful midfield and a calm yet charismatic fig that everyone successful nan squad tin respect".
"You tin ever count connected Martin to motivate team-mates erstwhile heads whitethorn spell down," says nan Arsenal contented creator.
"He is ever nan first to amp up nan crowd, whether we are winning aliases astatine 0-0 looking for that breakthrough goal, a fewer fist bumps and upwards limb swings is each it takes from nan skipper to get nan Emirates Stadium roaring again.
"Win, suffer aliases draw, Odegaard is ever nan past to time off nan transportation arsenic he circles nan crushed to applaud each instrumentality for their support."
If nan Gunners skipper tin thief his broadside successfully discuss different hurdle successful nan title situation crossed northbound London astatine Tottenham connected Sunday, that admiration from fans, team-mates and his head will only proceed to grow.
