Last weekend, he became the first Premier League player since records began in the 2003/04 season to complete 100+ passes [109], create at least five chances [7] and assist multiple goals [2] in the same game as the Gunners trounced West Ham 6-0.
Not a lot a fuss was made about it, a sign of the progress he’s made, but the silky Norwegian was literally untouchable at the London Stadium.
Odegaard backed that up by unleashing the sweetest of left-footed half-volleys in Arsenal’s 5-0 demolition of Burnley on Saturday and with 18 months of near flawless attacking midfield wizardry behind him, that level has understandably become the norm.
So, as Arsenal prepare to re-launch their bid for Champions League glory with a last 16 tie at FC Porto this week, live on talkSPORT, I don’t think there can be any argument that Odegaard is now among Europe’s elite. Just like Madrid had hoped, before cashing him in.
His numbers speak volumes. No one plying their trade in the world’s strongest division for instance, has created more chances from open play this season. Just ten shy of the 63 he managed last season [the third best in 2022-23] Odegaard has been disgustingly inventive.
Over the course of his Premier League career to date, the 25-year-old is creating a chance once every 37 minutes.
Since the 2003/04 season, Mesut Ozil [every 27 minutes] and Cesc Fabregas [every 32 minutes] are the only Arsenal players who can eclipse that, so he is keeping good company.
Involved in everything, Odegaard has carved out a niche as Mikel Arteta’s integral orchestrator, in and out of possession. He is the antithesis of a luxury player, covering an average of 11.8km per 90 minutes.
When inspiring a vital 3-1 success over title rivals Liverpool a fortnight ago he upped the ante in that department, clocking up an eye-watering 12.75km to help get the job done.
Much of Odegaard’s energy is devoted to pressing, he’s an absolute machine when it comes to closing down. He is among the Premier League’s top five central or attacking midfielders at applying ‘pressures’ to their opposite numbers.
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