Martin Ødegaard has undergone a striking transformation since the beginning of this season, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attributes his captain's surge in form to a combination of improved fitness and a fresh tactical deployment. Ødegaard once again proved decisive for the Gunners on Wednesday, finding the back of the net to secure a 1-0 Champions League win over Napoli.
That goal followed his match‑winning strike against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, bringing his tally to four goals in five appearances across all competitions this campaign. In the injury‑plagued 2025/26 season, Ødegaard managed only a single goal for Arsenal, but this year his contributions have expanded far beyond scoring. His numbers in a range of attacking metrics have risen sharply, reflecting a broader influence on the team's offensive play.
When asked about the midfielder's improvement during the post‑match press conference, Arteta highlighted the importance of availability. "First of all, he needs to be available, and last year he missed a huge number of games because of injuries," the manager said. He went on to stress that Ødegaard's quality has always been present, merely hampered by physical setbacks.
Declan Rice echoed that sentiment in a Sky Sports interview, noting the severity of Ødegaard's injury history. "Last year he suffered two shoulder injuries and an MCL problem. It’s never easy to come back from that," Rice explained. "But after seeing him at the World Cup and now at the start of this season, that’s the Martin we all know and love – our captain.
We have to keep feeding him the ball and let him create." Arteta also pointed out that new on‑field relationships are playing a crucial role in Ødegaard's resurgence. "He’s got fresh combinations with teammates, and that helps a lot," the Arsenal boss said. "When we position him higher up the pitch, especially in the attacking phase, he becomes a very dangerous player." Statistically, Ødegaard’s involvement in dangerous areas has increased markedly.
His touches inside the opposition penalty box have risen from 2.5 per 90 minutes last season to 4.3 per 90 minutes so far this term, a clear indicator of his more advanced positioning. The manager credited this shift to the improved support from his colleagues in open play. "We now have several players who can carry the ball forward and link up much better than we did previously," Arteta explained. "When that happens, Ødegaard can occupy different heights, angles and spaces, which unsettles the opponent, and he’s executed that brilliantly." One of the teammates likely referenced by Arteta is summer signing Christos Tzolis, who already boasts four assists this season, three of which have set up Ødegaard’s goals, including the decisive strike in Naples.
The Arsenal attack, operating effectively down both flanks and through the centre, looked particularly potent at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Gunners recorded 26 shots in total – the highest tally in a Champions League match for the club since the 2003/04 season – and posted an expected‑goals figure of 4.05, suggesting they were unlucky not to score more. Ødegaard’s decisive contribution, however, was the decisive moment the team needed. "That’s what we require – players with the mindset to decide a game and play with personality, to keep taking chances and risks," Arteta said after the match.
"He’s getting into those positions more often now, and you can see his confidence; he knows the ball can go in, and he delivered an incredible goal tonight." Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright summed up Ødegaard’s performance, noting that the midfielder exuded class and confidence from the outset against Napoli. He demanded possession, exploited gaps in the Italian defence, and linked passes with ease, effectively becoming the focal point of Arsenal’s play. His goal, a composed finish from the edge of the box after a 29‑pass buildup, underscored his newfound poise. Scoring four times in five games this season represents a dramatic reversal from the previous term, when he managed just one goal in 36 appearances.
Beyond the goal, Ødegaard showcased his all‑round influence: he recorded more touches, completed more passes, and generated more chances than any other player on the pitch. Napoli struggled to contain him, rarely getting close enough to challenge his play. His vision was evident in a clever pass that released Ben White for a golden‑chance opportunity, which was ultimately saved by Napoli goalkeeper Piero Hincapie. Arteta’s post‑match comments reinforced the impact of Ødegaard’s contributions.
"Martin is contributing goals, and that directly influences results, which is exactly what we want from our attacking players – to be decisive. He was that today," the manager concluded.
Overall, Arsenal appear to be reaping the benefits of Ødegaard’s revitalised form, his enhanced fitness, and the strategic adjustments that have allowed him to operate in more threatening positions. As the season progresses, his continued involvement in goal‑scoring and chance‑creation will be pivotal to the Gunners’ ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.