Nowadays, Martin Odegaard is one of the main components of an exciting, improving Arsenal side under manager Mikel Arteta. The Norwegian moved to North London from Real Madrid for a six month loan deal in the 2020/21 season. His performances were thought to be good enough for Arteta and Edu in order for the club to sign Odegaard on a permanent basis in the summer of 2021 for a fee said to be in the region of £30 million.
Odegaard’s first season as an official Arsenal player started slowly, a brilliant free-kick away to Burnley in a 0-1 win was the highlight for his season within the first few months but his form was relatively inconsistent up until January. However, the Norwegian exploded into life in the second half off the season, finishing the 21/22 premier league campaign with 7 goals and 4 assists and impressed majorly in many games in the final few months, earning many plaudits for his creativity and skill on the ball. But also his leadership capabilities, with Odegaard set to take over from Alexandre Lacazette as Arsenal’s club captain for the 22/23 season and hopefully beyond.
However, Martin Odegaard’s career up until this point has been one of many twists and turns, which has taken him from a 15 year-old with the world at his feet, to a forgotten wonerkid deemed to have not lived up to his potential, but he is now back on track and better than ever. But how exactly did he get here?
Martin Odegaard was the name on the lips of almost every football fan in the year of 2014, with the midfielder breaking into the first team of Norwegian club Stromsgodset at only 15 years-old, setting the Norwegian top flight record for the youngest ever goalscorer. These headlines prompted a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2015 for a rumoured €4 million – setting the clubs record for their youngest ever player. However, his time in Spain consisted of mainly limited game-time – prompting many to forget about the potential of the Norwegian midfielder. In order to solve this, Odegaard went on successive loans from 2017 to 2019. First to Eredivisie sides Vitesse and Heerenveen, impressing at both. But, it was the next loan which brought Martin Odegaard back into the European limelight…
In 2019, Madrid sent Odegaard on another loan deal. This time to fellow LaLiga side Real Soicidad. The midfielder arrived with a point to prove – could he really be a star in a major European league?. And he passed the test with flying colours. With Odegaard racking up 4 goals and 6 assists in the 2019/20 LaLiga campaign. Striking a superb partnership with the clubs Swedish striker Alexander Isak and helped the club win that years Copa Del Rey – as well as earning a place in the LaLiga team of the season. Martin Odegaard was back.
However, Odegaard was quickly sent back to reality as the first half of the 20/21 season back at Real Madrid was the same as it had been for him at the club – mostly substitute appearances. In January of that year though, London was calling for Odegaard as Arsenal offered to take the midfielder on loan.
The North London club was struggling, with a mid-table finish looking likely with many questioning manager Mikel Arteta. However, there were signs of the team improving following wins against Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom. Odegaard came straight into the side and impressed on his debut, a 1-1 away draw in a UEFA Europa league knockout tie vs Benfica. He followed this up with also impressing in the second leg helping the Gunners to a dramatic comeback to go through to the round of-16 of the competition where he scored his first goal for the club, a long-distance strike in a 1-3 away win against Greek side Olympiacos. He later followed this up with his first premier league goal in the North London derby vs Tottenham – in which a Lacazette penalty ensured bragging rights for the red half of North London with a 2-1 win. A MOTM performance in a 3-3 draw with West Ham was arguably Odegaard’s standout performance for Arsenal and this prompted the club to finally offer a permanent escape from Madrid as he signed for Arsenal for £30 million in the summer of 2021.
So, what next for Martin Odegaard? The Norwegian is still only 23 and captain of both club and country, having finally found a permanent home where he is loved and appreciated by the clubs fans, in a team which is growing and progressing with him at the centre of it all. Making a name for himself as one of the Premier League’s most talented attacking midfielders. I can only see Odegaard getting better and better and I hope he continues at Arsenal for years to come. It’s where he belongs.
