ISAAN KHAN: An Ode to Odegaard! After a slow start, Arsenal’s wizard has rediscovered his magic… if the Gunners are to replicate last season’s title bid, then his goals will be key

• Martin Odegaard’s importance to Arsenal’s title credentials is key for all to see
• The Gunners captain starred against Wolves and popped up all over the pitch
• We expected perfection from VAR – we haven’t got it: Listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

He’s back, all right. And how they have missed him. Once Martin Odegaard signed a new long-term Arsenal deal in September, they could not wait to tell fans the news.

His importance to this team is such that the club took out adverts in the Islington Tribune and Drammens Tidende — the newspaper of Odegaard’s hometown in Norway — to announce the news.

Fans, staff and boardroom know that if Arsenal are to replicate last season’s title bid, Odegaard and his goals will be key. 

This display against Wolves saw the playmaker back to near his best, gliding into open pockets of space and piercing the opposition backline.

It started with a strike after 13 minutes, his arm waving frantically at Oleksandr Zinchenko who picked him out in the centre of the box. Odegaard stroked the ball into the right-hand corner to add to Bukayo Saka’s opener.

Martin Odegaard’s importance to Arsenal can’t be understated as he shined against Wolves

He could have ended the game with two assists, Leandro Trossard getting in a tangle when played in on goal and Eddie Nketiah hitting a post. 

Various factors have meant he had previously not hit the levels of performance he was producing weekly last season. 

He missed only one league game last term but, thus far, because of a hip injury and a concussion, he has already missed three of 14 matches. 

Then there’s the challenge of facing teams who are more than willing to park their players behind the ball — Arsenal are rightly being treated as title contenders and the opposition set up accordingly. 

That means doubling up on Saka to make Arsenal keep the ball in less dangerous areas, and fewer avenues for those quick, one-two passes at which Odegaard is so adept.

Last season saw the captain muster 15 goals and seven assists, as the club’s joint-top league scorer with Gabriel Martinelli.

Fans know if Arsenal are to replicate last season’s title bid, Odegaard and his goals will be key

After 14 league matches so far, he has four goals and one assist. But he offers more than that; his build-up play is a constant thorn in the side of opponents.

His leadership is an important aspect, too. Odegaard, 24, is well respected by his peers and a commanding presence on the pitch.

The Norwegian was relieved to get the three points after a late goal from Wolves’ Matheus Cunha ensured a nervy finish. 

‘I think we did well after their goal,’ said Odegaard. ‘We controlled everything for most of the game.’

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS 

ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya 6.5; Tomiyasu 7.5 (White 78min), Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 6.5; ODEGAARD 8.5 (Jorginho 90), Rice 7.5, Trossard 6.5; Saka 8 (Kiwior 90), Jesus 7 (Nketiah 67, 6), Martinelli 7 (Havertz 77).

Scorers: Saka 6, Odegaard 13.

Booked: Saliba. Manager: Mikel Arteta 6.5.

WOLVES (3-5-2): Sa 5.5 (Bentley 23, 6); Kilman 6, Dawson 5.5, Toti 5.5; Semedo 6, Bellegarde 6 (Sarabia 63, 6), Doyle 6 (Kalajdzic 90), Traore 6, Bueno 7 (Doherty 63, 6); Hwang 5, Cunha 6.5. Scorer: Cunha 86.

Booked: Hwang, Cunha.

Manager: Gary O’Neil 6.

Referee: P Bankes 7. Attendance: 60,262.

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