Martin Odegaard has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis since the beginning of the current campaign, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attributes the Norwegian captain's surge in form to a combination of improved fitness and a fresh tactical deployment. After delivering the decisive strike in Arsenal's 1-0 Champions League triumph over Napoli on Wednesday, Odegaard has now registered four goals in five appearances across all competitions this season, a stark contrast to his solitary goal during the injury‑plagued 2025/26 season. The turning point came when Odegaard found the back of the net against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, a goal that marked the start of a prolific run. Arteta, speaking at the post‑match press conference, emphasized that the cornerstone of Odegaard's resurgence is his availability.
"First of all he needs to be available and last year he missed so many games through injuries," the manager said, underlining the importance of a full‑season presence for any player to make an impact. Former teammate Declan Rice echoed this sentiment in a Sky Sports interview, noting that the injuries that plagued Odegaard last season – two shoulder problems and an MCL tear – made consistency difficult. "But then you see him at the World Cup and how he's started this year.
That's the Martin we know and we love, he's our captain. We need to keep giving him the ball and letting things happen," Rice added, highlighting the confidence the squad now places in their leader. Arteta also pointed out that fresh on‑field partnerships have contributed significantly to Odegaard's elevated performances.
"He's got that edge and different relationships around him as well and that helps," the Gunners boss explained. "He can start to go by different heights in the team, especially in the attacking phase, and when we get him into those positions he's a really dangerous player." This tactical nuance is evident in the statistics: Odegaard's touches inside the opposition penalty area have risen from 2.5 per 90 minutes last season to 4.3 per 90 minutes so far this term, indicating a more aggressive positioning that creates scoring opportunities. The manager credited the improvement to the collective ability of his teammates to move the ball forward more efficiently than in previous years. "We have a lot of players that can take the ball there and progress the ball much better than we did in the past," Arteta said.
"When that happens, [Odegaard] needs to take different heights and angles and positions in order to disorganise the opponent and he's done that really well." One of the players likely benefiting from this system is new signing Christos Tzolis, who already boasts four assists, three of which have directly set up Odegaard's goals, including the winner in Naples. The attacking display at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was nothing short of spectacular. Arsenal unleashed 26 shots – the highest total recorded by the club in a Champions League match since the 2003/04 season – and generated an expected goals (xG) figure of 4.05, suggesting that the team should have been even more prolific.
Odegaard's contribution, however, was decisive. His composure in front of goal, combined with a relentless work rate, allowed him to arrive in dangerous zones more frequently, culminating in a clinical finish that secured the win.
Arteta summed up the team's mindset after the match: "That's what we need. The players with the mindset to decide a game and play with personality. To keep taking chances and risks. He's getting into those positions much more in recent games and now you feel he has the emotional state that he knows the ball can go in, and he scored an incredible goal tonight." This confidence, according to the manager, stems from a mental shift where Odegaard trusts his own ability to influence outcomes.
Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright offered a detailed breakdown of Odegaard's performance against Napoli. He noted that the Norwegian displayed class and confidence from the outset, demanding possession, exploiting gaps in the Italian defence, and orchestrating forward passes. Wright highlighted the build‑up to the winning goal – a 29‑pass sequence that culminated in Odegaard striking from the edge of the box – as a testament to his vision and technical skill. The statistician also observed that Odegaard now averages more touches, passes, and chance‑creation than any other player on the pitch, effectively dictating the tempo of the game.
Beyond scoring, Odegaard's creative influence was evident in a key moment when he delivered a perfectly timed pass to Ben White, setting up a golden‑chance opportunity that was narrowly missed by Napoli defender Piero Hincapie. This instance exemplified his ability to unlock tightly packed defences with clever, incisive passes. Arteta concluded his post‑match remarks by reinforcing the importance of Odegaard's contributions: "Martin is contributing goals.
That is obviously impacting results which is what we want from our attacking players, to be decisive, and certainly he was that today." The manager's confidence in his captain's evolution reflects a broader strategic shift at Arsenal, where the emphasis on fluid attacking movements, positional versatility, and collective responsibility has begun to bear fruit. Looking ahead, the Arsenal faithful can expect Odegaard to continue his upward trajectory, provided he remains injury‑free and the team maintains its cohesive style of play.
The combination of his enhanced fitness, newfound tactical freedom, and the support of teammates capable of delivering the ball into threatening zones creates a fertile environment for sustained success. As the season progresses, Arsenal's attack – bolstered by the synergy between Odegaard, Tzolis, and other creative outlets – appears poised to challenge for both domestic and European honours, with the Norwegian captain at the heart of the endeavour.