While Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba are the pair basking in the limelight of Arsenal's success so far this season, as two players who have leapt above expectations placed on them at the start of the campaign, several players at Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been crucial in their rapid rise to the top of the Premier League table.
Victory over Wolves on Saturday evening saw the Gunners extend the gap between themselves and Manchester City to five points after Pep Guardiola's side saw a point snatched away from them after conceding deep into stoppage time courtesy of Brentford's Ivan Toney.
The pressure was then firmly placed on Arteta's players to give themselves significant breathing room and despite Granit Xhaka's early withdrawal, the Gunners delivered a professional performance with Martin Odegaard netting a brace as Aaron Ramsdale kept clean sheet number seven of the league season.
READ MORE : Saliba shines, Jesus conflicts - Arsenal Premier League player ratings so far this season
The World Cup, which sees 10 Arsenal players heading to the tournament in Qatar, is now upon us and, while also keeping those who remain in north London working hard, Arteta and Edu can plan for any January deals they wish to complete.
Shaktar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk has been heavily-linked with a move to Arsenal amid the Gunners need for depth in attack, especially given how much they would miss any one of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus or Martinelli if they were to pick up an injury.
Saka and Martinelli have been electric in front of goal from the wings, while Jesus' ability to drop deep and cause significant problems for opposition teams is crucial, but Odegaard perhaps doesn't get enough credit considering his crucial role in the Gunners' strong start to the campaign.
Despite only being 23, the Norwegian playmaker is Arsenal's club captain and most positive things the Gunners do stems from his vision and footballing brain, as shown by his positioning for both goals at Molineux over the weekend.
Many Arsenal players have a valid claim for being in any Premier League team of the season based on their performances thus far, but Fabrice Muamba has specifically highlighted Odegaard for praise with a flattering comparison to another left-footed creative spark that arrived in the Premier League from Spain.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, via HITC, the former Bolton and Tottenham midfielder said: “Odegaard, wow. This guy signed for Real Madrid at a young age and then moved to Arsenal on loan. My word he is a different player. He controls the momentum for Arsenal. He is David Silva. When David Silva was at City he was what he is for Arsenal.
"He controls the tempo of the game, his vision, he’s one of the best technical players in this league. No doubt about it, you can’t argue with that.
“Odegaard has matured a lot, he’s the captain, he’s a leader, he’s scoring goals and he’s defending. I can see why Arsenal went above and beyond to get this guy. Arteta saw something special in him.”
READ NEXT:
The ‘secret weapon’ Arsenal can unleash in 2023 to help Mikel Arteta's Premier League title push
Mykhaylo Mudryk scouting, Smith Rowe boost, Arsenal academy: Mikel Arteta's World Cup to do list
Arsenal and Edu keen on £67m-rated striker to hijack Chelsea transfer plan
Full list of Arsenal players going to Qatar 2022 World Cup including Thomas Partey decision
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
