It may not be a shock to learn of the great appreciation I and so many other Arsenal supporters have for the wondrous season Martin Odegaard is having.
It was hard not to melt with delight when his interplay with Bukayo Saka led to the Norwegian opening the scoring for Arsenal against Watford. The backheeled pass to the England international was a glorious example of the technical ability Odegaard has brought back to the club.
Combine that with the vibrant performance of Saka and Arsenal’s right-hand side looks as strong as it has ever been. Saka, Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe were challenged to add more goals and assists to their game and they have responded, the latter the Gunners’ current top scorer.
Speaking with TV2, Odegaard revealed how he felt integral to the group and his presence in nearly all of Mikel Arteta’s line-ups has certainly been evidence of that.
"I feel that I am in very good shape. It is always difficult to compare with the things that one has done before, but I feel that I train at a good level every day.
"I feel that I have become more important for the team, and I've taken up more space. I've really found my position and connections with those around me. I've gotten better and better."
However, an interesting part of the interview centred around a question on former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Despite the irony of sharing the same initials and position, Odegaard felt the need to remain grounded when asked about a direct comparison with the former German international.
"I'm not a big fan of comparing myself to other players, but I take it as a huge compliment. He was a player I really looked up to. One of my favourites when I was younger."
Ozil was a player who sparked a return to silverware for Arsenal in 2014. However, the now Fenerbahce midfielder failed to capture unanimous support from the fan base and critics.
Joining Arsenal at an earlier age than Martin Odegaard, the fact that the Norwegian is showing so much at just 23 makes one wonder whether he can go onto eclipse Ozil in the future.
Ozil was a player with world-class ability that could win games on his own. The issue was his consistency and ability to apply that talent in the clutch moments.
Since cementing his place in the team, he has been arguably Arteta’s most important cornerstone to the Arsenal side. His passing, pressing and recent goalscoring has elevated his own game and the overall threat of Arsenal’s attacks.
It is still very early and Odegaard would need plenty more goal contributions to be spoken about in several years’ time in the same breath as the German maestro.
However, all the while these performances persist, the comparisons will keep on coming. Quite rightly too.
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