Arsenal: 5 talking points from 1-0 win over Norwich

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 11, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) /

3 of 5

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal gives instructions during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Norwich City at Emirates Stadium on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

3. Martin Odegaard Never Stops Running

Throughout his first loan spell at the club it was interesting to see Arteta regularly laud Martin Odegaard in ways almost exclusively not related to ability.

Beyond heralding his actual quality, it was all the other aspects of his game that were more commonly singled out for praise: leadership, desire, professionalism and work rate.

Odegaard didn’t just press high, he was the high press. Seeing him at the Emirates with the No. 8 on his back, you’d be forgiven for mistaking him for Aaron Ramsey in the way he ran himself into the ground at every single opportunity.

Harassing those on the ball, tracking deep runners and charging back towards his own box to clean up counter attacks, that level of endeavour is infectious.

Nicolas Pepe, who is arguably the worst in the side at pressing, looks much more organised and diligent in his off the ball work with the Norwegian alongside him. Energy like Odegaard’s is vital to a functioning side.

Home/Arsenal News