Arsenal: 3 standout individual performances vs Wolves

1. Martin Odegaard

While Martin Odegaard impressed fans last season,there were initial doubts over his ability, especially when fans compared him to the Premier League-proven and overpriced James Maddison. There were doubts about whether or not he could tally goals and assists. There were even more doubts about his ability to play alongside Bukayo Saka.

Game by game, Odegaard continues to assuage these doubts.

The Norwegian has always been brimming with confidence. He knows his ability and his level and backs himself in everything he does. Add to that true leadership and work rate and you have an exceptional player. He thrives when given responsibility, never buckling under pressure, and against Wolves, he showed his tangible and intangible qualities alike.

Always demanding the ball, Odegaard possesses a hunger to make things happen. And fortunately for Arsenal fans, he has the technical craft and vision to do so. The past few weeks have seen Odegaard take his level up a few notches. He moves the ball quickly, never hesitating and rarely failing to make incisive passes, although is willing to bide his time for just the right pass. Dummies and flicks show how comfortable Odegaard is in this side.

While he may not have tallied any assists against Wolves, he was instrumental in the win, as he has been throughout this season. His collecting a growing portfolio of pre-assists, though.

Sliding in Lacazette and Martinelli with inch-perfect balls, he changed it up in the build up to the second goal, playing an accurate ball in behind the Wolves’ defense for Nketiah to run onto. Odegaard’s understanding of space is unmatched. That winning goal was a glorious example of someone calm on the ball, not playing the quick easy pass and waiting for avenues to open up.

Keeping Odegaard performing at this level is key for Arsenal to finish in the top four. He is truly operating at a world-class level.

Arsenal dug in for a tough night against Wolves. It hasn’t always been the case but their constant pressure and willingness to attack paid off with extremely important three points. The team as a whole deserves credit but underlying an excellent showing are three players who stamped their authority on this game. Let’s hope momentum stays with those players and the team alike.