Mikel Arteta believes Martin Ødegaard’s influence has been instrumental in Arsenal’s return to form as they attempt to haul back Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
The Norway captain missed 12 games after picking up an ankle injury on international duty, during which time Arsenal suffered a dip that has left them trailing Arne Slot’s side by nine points. But having made his return in the 1-1 draw Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month Ødegaard has excelled. Arsenal have scored 13 goals in their last three matches, culminating in them scoring five in the first half against West Ham on Saturday. Asked whether Ødegaard has helped to restore Arsenal’s belief, Arteta said: “Yes obviously – he brings an energy and stamina.
“The way he was talking, the way he looked two weeks before [he came back from injury], the way he joined the team he was really sharp. Then the team has a huge confidence and trust in him. That has a huge impact on him.
“When I talk about that trust it’s because he earns it every single day with the way that he conducts himself, the way he talks to people and the way he is constantly pushing each other to get the highest standards possible. That’s something that obviously he hasn’t learned overnight so credit to him because he has earned it.”
Ødegaard has contributed a goal or an assist in each of Arsenal’s last three matches and has earned plaudits this week for his thriving partnership with Bukayo Saka, who Arteta described as “the main figure, with two or three players at the club”. While he was dismissive of suggestions that their relationship was the best he had seen during his career, the Arsenal manager did make a lofty comparison. “I always think about Barcelona with Xavi, [Sergio] Busquets and [Andrés] Iniesta – it was unbelievable. They didn’t even need to look at themselves,” Arteta said. “Our two centre-backs – naturally there is a chemistry there that is unbelievable. So try to develop those more and more because there is something there that is very difficult to put a number to it. But [Ødegaard and Saka] is close in a natural way and the more relationships you have make the team the better.”
Arteta said he is not interested in avenging Arsenal’s penalty shootout defeat by Sporting in the Europa League last 16 two seasons ago when he comes up against the new Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, on Wednesdaynight. But he is impressed by the start the Portuguese has made at Old Trafford.
“You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away,” said Arteta. “He’s been very clear with what he wants to do. What he did with Sporting was remarkable after so many years. Especially the way he did it and the way his teams are playing. It brings energy to a new club and the players which is always positive. But we have to focus on what we’re doing.”
