It was a fantastic moment for the Arsenal supporters when Martin Ødegaard lifted the Premier League trophy, for the first time in 22 years for the London club. It was a fantastic moment for all of Norway, when Ødegaard started on the drum for “viking-rowing”, which marked that we had played our way to the round of 8. So it’s really unbelievable that the 27-year-old has received more criticism than in any previous season.
After the Iraq match, the biggest Norwegian media fell into the same trap as the English, when they covered the Premier League and Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal. In the Premier League season, there was strong criticism of Ødegaard, who with injuries and lack of match fitness did not deliver world-class games as in previous seasons. There was screaming that Arsenal now had to sell their captain. The season ended with a historic Premier League title and Champions League final – with Ødegaard as captain. After Norway won 4-1 against Iraq, the same great concern came from the Norwegian media about Ødegaard’s “fall”.
Talk about a mistake! Mikel Arteta did not let himself be swayed by the criticism of his Arsenal captain, Ståle Solbakken blew away any “demand” that Ødegaard must start on the bench. Now we are in the World Cup’s round of 16, there is not a jaw that questions Ødegaard’s deliveries and importance for the team’s performance. Then it is also interesting to read English Goal’s updated analysis of Martin Ødegaard. Because Goal also questioned whether Ødegaard had “lost it” earlier in the Premier League season.
Here is Goal’s analysis:
“Ødegaard had his critics at club level last season, with certain pundits and sections of Arsenal’s own supporter group demanding that he be dropped and even sold this summer – which is all the more remarkable given that he became their first title-winning captain in 22 years.”
“Their frustration is largely rooted in the perception that Ødegaard too often took the safe option of number 10 and tended to let games pass him by, rather than grab them ‘by the scruff of the neck’. The attacking midfielder struggled to make an impression at times, with minor injuries taking its toll, although he still finished the season with a whopping seven honorable assists in 24 Premier League games.”
“In the World Cup, however, Ødegaard has reminded everyone what he is all about; playing with the freedom of a man not weighed down by the pressure to end a painful long wait for a league title at club level, Ødegaard has looked much more like himself across three dynamic appearances. He should have done enough to silence his critics and perhaps convince the club that it would be a mistake to sell him.”
“Norway’s captain has three assists in as many games so far in North America. He has picked up Leo Ostigard’s header against Iraq from a corner, rolled a perfect pass in to Haaland in the game against Senegal and picked out Antonio Nusa in the run-up to his wonder goal against Ivory Coast.”
“This feat means that Ødegaard is the first to assist in three World Cup matches in a row since Dirk Kuyt in 2010, according to Opta. In the round of 16 against Les Elephants , he had 90 touches on the ball and played it forward 18 times – more than any other player.”
Of course, we agree with Goal. Martin Ødegaard is the natural leader for Norway and Arsenal!
All about the World Cup matches on live sports
