When Martin Odegaard stepped onto the pitch at London Stadium against West Ham United, he looked determined to make a statement, instantly raising Arsenal’s level of performance.
Odegaard’s relentless pressing ability, a trademark of his game, set the tone for the entire side. On the ball, his passing was sharp and daring, threading through West Ham’s defensive lines with precision and finding teammates in dangerous positions.
Then came the decisive moment: a slick one-two with Declan Rice, creating space for himself inside the box. Did he have the composure and awareness to wait and pick out Leandro Trossard with a perfect pass? Absolutely.
We have always known Odegaard could produce such magic, but it has been a while since we saw it consistently. This season hasn’t been his best, yet when Arsenal needed someone to take control in that crucial area at that exact moment, Odegaard was the one they turned to—and he delivered.
These are the instances when your top players step up collectively, and the depth of your squad truly matters. Earlier this campaign, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, and Bukayo Saka have all scored vital goals at pivotal times. Against West Ham, it was Odegaard and Trossard.
Arsenal now find themselves in an excellent position, but they aren’t relying on a single star to carry them through the title race. Instead, it’s the squad’s strength and unity making the difference.
That depth, combined with big players producing in big moments, has been key. Yet the narrative could have shifted dramatically if Mikel Arteta’s bold decisions on Sunday hadn’t paid off.
Danny Murphy shared these insights with Chris Bevan.