Arsenal were one game away from the dream double of Premier League and Champions League last season, even with the brilliance of Martin Odegaard diminished by injuries and indifferent form.
As they look to go one better than that fully merited first Premier League title in 24 years, Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta will be thrilled to see the 27-year-old Norwegian starting the new campaign in the form of his life.
If they could win the title and only lose to Paris St-Germain on penalties in the Champions League final with Odegaard in those reduced circumstances, what can Arsenal achieve with their captain already stamping his authority so significantly domestically and in Europe?
Arsenal dominated Napoli in the opening game of their Champions League campaign, but it still took Odegaard to make the decisive contribution with a stunning left-foot strike 15 minutes from time to secure a 1-0 win.
It seems, with Odegaard in this form, Arsenal can overcome every test to make anything possible for Arteta’s team.
Odegaard was troubled by knee and shoulder injuries last season, restricting him to only 36 games in all competitions, scoring just one goal with seven assists. He only played in 24 Premier League matches as Arsenal finally lifted the crown.
He showed signs of a revival as Norway reached the World Cup quarter-final, losing to England, but has moved on to a different level in the opening phase of this season.
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