It’s been eight years since almost the whole of Europe was chasing a mere 16-year-old exceptional talent. Martin Ödegaard was considered the new big thing in the football cosmos – and immediately decided on the biggest possible club: Real Madrid. The Norwegian never made a breakthrough with the Royals.
After only eleven appearances for the professionals and four loans, the project was completed in summer 2021. Arsenal signed Ödegaard for 35 million euros. A year and a half later it is clear: That was the right decision. And Real should be annoyed that Odegaard may have written off too early.
Arsenal dominate the Premier League
The attacking midfielder is now not only captain of Arsenal, but also regularly the best player in the best team in the Premier League. After years of sporting dreariness, the Londoners are enthroned at the top of the Premier League with a seven-point lead over Manchester City.
The restart after the World Cup break was also successful and Ödegaard played a key role in it. In the 3-1 win against West Ham on Boxing Day, the left-footed player put up two goals. In yesterday’s 4-2 win at Brighton & Hove Albion, Ödegaard first scored himself, before delivering the fourth goal through Gabriel Martinelli with an absolutely brilliant pass over 40 metres.
Former England international Paul Merson told Sky Sports: “Kevin De Bruyne sees this running path. Martin Odegaard sees him. But I don’t think there’s another player in the Premier League who can do that.” Regal De Bruyne and therefore in world class: Ödegaard cannot currently be classified under this. Real, who will soon have to rejuvenate their midfield, will be annoyed that they wrote off Odegaard too early.
