As of now the international break has been very positive for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players.
Both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have thrived for England in different age categories and the likes of Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey have also impressed.
Spain’s manager praised Merino heavily for example after the Arsenal midfielder delivered a crucial contribution to their two-legged win over the Netherlands.
Perhaps the only negative from an Arsenal point of view will be the injury that Riccardo Calafiori sustained whilst playing for Italy – a player Arteta will need against Real Madrid.
That being said, Martin Odegaard looks like he is returning to his best form just in time to face his former side in the Champions League.
Martin Odegaard praised for ‘monster’ display for Norway against Israel
Odegaard impressed for Norway in a 5-0 win against Moldova at the start of the international break and he arguably delivered an even better performance in the win that came thereafter.
Norway also won their second World Cup qualifier against Israel 4-2 on Tuesday night, a game in which Odegaard provided three assists for his country.
The Arsenal captain was the right-sided midfielder in a 4-4-2 – a homage to some of Arsene Wenger’s great sides in the past.
And off the back of Odegaard’s performance, it’s fair to say that local media in Norway were impressed – a display that was good enough to amaze the world by Dagbladet’s estimations.
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Giving him 9/10, they wrote: “Worked like a hero. Won balls, served balls and had goal-scoring passes to both Moller Wolfe, Sorloth and Haaland. Norway’s best. The world is amazed by the pictures from Debrecen.”
And on their part, Nettavisen also gave Odegaard a 9/10 hailing him as Norway’s best on the night, a performance that once again outshone Erling Haaland’s contribution.
“Played an absolutely brilliant first half and was at times completely dominant in the Norwegian midfield.
“As usual, Norway’s signal player in the press, and he slid like a hot knife through Israel’s players.
“Brilliant almost every time he had the ball, and recorded his third assist when he elegantly tipped Erling Braut Haaland through to make it 4-1 just before the end – a monster performance from Norway’s captain.”
Odegaard continues to prove his Arsenal doubters wrong
Surprisingly, Odegaard has faced a lot of criticism in an Arsenal shirt in recent months.
Arteta’s £30m captain perhaps hasn’t been at his best without Bukayo Saka alongside him – two players who combine so well on the right.
In fact, Arsenal fans have criticised Odegaard and there’s even been a suggestion that Nwaneri should take his starting spot once Saka is fit to return to the XI.
But as Odegaard’s performances for Norway demonstrate, he’s still among the world’s best – the kind of character that Arsenal will need against Real.
Arteta has always backed Odegaard, and perhaps the Norwegian will still go big for the Gunners before the season ends.
