Arsenal: The unsung hero vs Spurs who is only getting started

There were a host of superb individual performances for Arsenal in the win over Tottenham, all of which combined to forge the collective unit that deservedly went on to secure three points in what was one of, if not the best, displays since Mikel Arteta took charge.

It all came about in a whirlwind first half were the hosts blew away an abysmal Spurs side with incredible energy, aggression, pace and precision. Clinical and chaotic in a controlled sense, it was the happiest any supporter will likely have been since watching Arsenal lift the FA Cup.

Goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stole the headlines with Hale End making its timely mark (again), only this time in the biggest home fixture on the calendar.

Everything about Arsenal was fluid and ferocious. From back to front there were excellent displays. And what holds the top and bottom together? The midfield. But for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey‘s solid progressive role and screening job in that double pivot, everything positive from Arsenal had a sprinkling of Norwegian on it.

Martin Odegaard was the unsung hero for Arsenal in the win over Tottenham – and he is only getting started in the Premier League at the age of just 22

Martin Odegaard was the glue.

A second half in which Arsenal took their foot off the gas and simply had to match Spurs’ intensity to see the game out didn’t produce many memorable moments, all because those opening 35 minutes put the game to bed. A period in which the No. 8 was instrumental.

Without getting on the scoreboard with an assist or a goal, he played a direct part in two of the goals and brought a connectivity to the way Arsenal attacked that let others flourish. For Emile Smith Rowe’s opener he plays the pre-assist for Bukayo Saka, while his exceptional intelligence and clarity of thought was the brains of the third.

Receiving the ball in midfield as Arsenal work in transition, he has two men running beyond him two Tottenham players closing in. Drawing those two towards him, and then a third in Tanguy Ndombele, all while fully aware of his teammates’ positioning, he slips a delicate ball through to Smith Rowe that cuts out three opposition players in one swift move.

It’s pure footballing intelligence at its finest. Odegaard can see the next phases, where his teammates are and will be and uses this knowledge to pick his next pass. Averaging 4.76 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, he’s not only the highest ranked in the Arsenal squad, but tenth overall in the Premier League. Worth remembering that Arsenal had one shot against Man City.

Best of all, he’s only going to get better.

Continued…

Martin Odegaard Will Improve in Every Aspect Over Time

Watching him and Thomas Partey in this Arsenal team and the centrality they bring makes it feel as if they’re the key conductors. While Smith Rowe and Saka are pivotal, there is a colourful stroke of Odegaard’s paintbrush in almost all facets.

His work off the ball is rightly heralded as well, bringing an infectious spirit and desire to the team with his relentless pressing and closing down. But it’s how he always picks up the right positions in moves, knows when to play the first time pass or hold the ball and delivers it with such elegant weight that stands out.

All of this at just 22 years of age. And, for £30m. There is no planet where that isn’t a magnificent deal.

With his time at the club there will be continued growth. There is still one qualm with Odegaard in that he can be guilty of drifting out of matches where Arsenal aren’t in control of possession, something that leans heavily on his skillset, even if during those periods he continues to run himself into the ground.

But all of his finer, and less fine, traits will be developed as the months go by. Physically he can be stronger and there is room to be more flexible with his right foot, some of which may come and some that might not. What there is now, though, is an absolute gem of a player who leaves a positive impact on all those around him in the Premier League and elsewhere, lets their finer qualities sing and leads by voice and example.

A superb signing who will grow with this team alongside his fellow young stars.