Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard shows strong form after challenging season
Martin Odegaard delivered a man-of-the-match performance during Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, signalling a potential return to his top form. This display follows a 2025-26 season that was marked by injuries for the Norwegian playmaker.
Despite Arsenal securing the Premier League title last season, Odegaard’s contributions were limited due to knee and shoulder problems. He made only 16 league starts, recording one goal and seven assists, which were his lowest totals since joining the club permanently in 2021-22.
During the Community Shield match in Cardiff, Odegaard completed 55 of 58 passes, executed three successful dribbles from three attempts, and won possession nine times, leading all Arsenal players in these categories. His performance was highlighted by a goal where his dummy left City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on the ground.
Odegaard’s return to form and midfield competition
Odegaard’s quality has consistently been recognised, but his consistency was affected last season. There were also discussions among former players regarding his captaincy. His recent performance has helped to address these concerns.
The addition of £75m Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal’s midfield, following their Premier League title win, has intensified competition for places. Mikel Merino, another Arsenal midfielder, described the club’s options in this area as “probably the best in football.”
The midfield roster now includes Odegaard, Guimaraes, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Merino. Guimaraes, who played 45 minutes in the Community Shield, also impressed during his debut.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed optimism about Odegaard’s potential impact this season if he remains fit. Arteta noted that Odegaard missed “five or six months for different things,” which made it difficult for him to build momentum.
“I’m sure this year if we can maintain him fit, available with the players around him, we’re going to see a very different Martin,” Arteta stated. He also sensed a strong determination from Odegaard since his return to pre-season training, indicating a desire to prove himself for the team’s benefit.
Motivation from a challenging season
Odegaard concluded last season fit and subsequently performed well at the World Cup with Norway. He started five of Norway’s six matches in the tournament and provided four assists, with only Michael Olise registering more assists in the competition.
Reflecting on the previous season, Odegaard described it as “a big struggle with a lot of difficult moments.” He found missing many games due to “weird injuries” and “bad luck” to be frustrating, calling it “the worst thing for a footballer.”
He used these experiences as motivation. “What I have just worked on is to use that as motivation for this year and to come back stronger. And to use all of those experiences in a positive way,” Odegaard said.
Odegaard and Guimaraes demonstrated an immediate understanding on the pitch during their first start together. Odegaard mentioned feeling “in the flow” during his Community Shield performance, indicating a positive start to the season.
After his World Cup participation, Odegaard had three weeks off to recuperate before joining pre-season training. He made his first pre-season appearance just over a week prior to the Community Shield, playing 30 minutes against Borussia Dortmund and creating opportunities with through balls.
Arsenal’s title success last season was built on defensive strength, as the club did not have an elite striker and their wingers struggled for consistent form. With Guimaraes’s addition, Arsenal aims for improved technical quality on the ball, which could create more chances for Odegaard to open up defences.
The club is still looking to strengthen its attack before the transfer window closes, particularly for an elite left winger, though appealing options have reportedly diminished. In the absence of a marquee attacking signing, getting Odegaard back to his best is seen as a transformative change for Arsenal’s attack. Odegaard, who has already led Arsenal to a league title as captain, will be eager to replicate that success as the team’s creative force.
In the 2022/23 season, Odegaard scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League, followed by eight goals and 11 assists a year later. An ankle issue in the subsequent season, however, stalled his momentum, and injuries have been a recurring challenge since then.
The Community Shield performance suggests Odegaard is ready to return to his previous high levels, both physically and in terms of his contributions in the final third. He won five of his seven duels on Sunday and made more recoveries than any other player on the pitch.
Odegaard has entered the final two years of his contract and will be looking to secure a long-term deal.
Arteta believes that if Odegaard can be maintained fit and available, with the support of his teammates, a “very different Martin” will be seen this year.
The Community Shield provided the latest indication that Odegaard is prepared to reach his top form, which could significantly boost Arsenal’s attack.
Arteta insists that Bukayo Saka is now over his Achilles issue, and Christos Tzolis appears to be an upgrade on the left wing.
Odegaard’s performance against Manchester City, where he capped an all-action display with a brilliant third goal, suggests he is ready to play a crucial role in Arsenal’s campaign.
Odegaard’s return to form could elevate Arsenal’s attack to another level, building on his previous seasons where he demonstrated significant goal-scoring and assisting capabilities.
He spent his three weeks off with his wife and young son before reporting back for pre-season training.
Odegaard’s first appearance of pre-season was just over a week ago, where he played 30 minutes against Borussia Dortmund.
His manager was among those who immediately noticed a change in Odegaard upon his return to the squad.
Odegaard’s recent performance in the Community Shield provided strong evidence that he is ready to return to his top levels.
He is determined to use the frustrations of last season as motivation for the current campaign.
The Community Shield victory, where Odegaard was a key player, marked a positive start for Arsenal.
Odegaard’s strong form at the World Cup with Norway, where he registered four assists, set the stage for his pre-season return.
He stated that all the players were “flowing pretty good out there” during the Community Shield match.
Odegaard’s goal in the Community Shield came barely two minutes into the second half.
Source: bbc.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
