Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, lauded his team’s captain, Martin Odegaard, emphasizing his essential role in the team’s style of play, which has been instrumental in propelling Arsenal to the Premier League summit.
In a Wednesday night clash, Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Luton, with Odegaard netting the first goal—his seventh of the season in the league.
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An own goal by Daiki Hashioka sealed the win, placing Arsenal a point clear at the top of the table, ahead of Liverpool.
Odegaard, a former Real Madrid midfielder, has been a cornerstone of Arteta’s strategy at the Emirates, having started in 37 league matches the previous season and featuring in 27 games in the current one.
Arteta extolled the 25-year-old’s vital contribution to the team’s dynamics and commended his exceptional leadership standards as the captain.
‘Yeah he’s a really important player,’ said Arteta. ‘We needed that balance. As well the chemistry that certain players have because that’s how they train and how we build those connections and relationships. Martin is vital to connect everything in the way we play.’
On Odegaard’s captaincy, Arteta said: ‘He’s made huge steps there. His presence, the way he behaves himself in front of the group and the standards that he sets are outstanding. He’s got a lot of players to support him and a lot to follow him.’
In Wednesday’s match, with key players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice missing from the starting lineup, it was Martin Odegaard who rose to the occasion for Arsenal against Luton.
Saka was not able to make the squad, with Arteta explaining: ‘He had to come off against Manchester City three days ago, he was feeling something.
‘He hasn’t been able to do everything that we needed to give him the chance to start the game. So we have decided not to play him.’
The England winger could be back for Saturday’s trip to Brighton, with Arteta adding: ‘He was close but again he felt something in a very similar area against City and it was a very short turnaround.
‘Hopefully he’ll be able to train again and we can have him for the weekend.’
