Martin Odegaard’s Norway manager suggests why exactly the Arsenal captain looks back to his best

Martin Odegaard was subbed off after 66 minutes in the Champions League final after a dismal performance.

79 days later, he sat down Gianluigi Donnarumma with a double dummy before rolling in Arsenal’s third goal in a 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City.

And it wasn’t just the goal that has Arsenal fans excited about the skipper again. His all-round performance was much more like the Odegaard of old.

The Arsenal captain went into the World Cup carrying a bit of baggage. Seven injuries in eight months. Only three full matches for Arsenal since the new year. A season in which he played just 68 per cent of Arsenal’s minutes, his worst availability in four years.

He may have lifted the Premier League trophy, but that Champions League final display left a mark.

And yet, seemingly, from the moment he linked up with Norway, something changed.

Norway manager on how the World Cup rebuilt Martin Odegaard

Speaking to VG, Norway manager Stale Solbakken shed light on the simple thing that he thinks has allowed Martin Odegaard to find his form again.

“The most important thing was that Martin immediately felt how important he is to us,” he said. “Even the very best players need to feel loved and that they are important.

“He is our captain and has been extremely consistently good for us.”

Solbakken was asked whether he ever questioned Odegaard’s place in the team during the tournament, given the questions being asked in the lead-up.

“Zero. Absolutely zero. There was never any discussion about Martin not being a central piece for us. Not even close.”

That faith was repaid. Odegaard contributed four assists as Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals, including three in consecutive knockout games, a feat only two other players had ever achieved at a World Cup.

By the time Norway were eliminated, the Arsenal skipper had rediscovered himself.

“It wasn’t just about physics, technique or tactics,” Solbakken said. “It was mostly about him having mental strength. I think he felt important and central again, and through that he grew.”

Odegaard himself confirmed as much after the Community Shield. “Last year was really a big struggle with a lot of difficult moments,” he said.

“It was good for me to end the season with a title and then a good World Cup. I feel good, ready to go again.”

No Arsenal player completed more passes, more dribbles, or won possession more times than Odegaard against City.

Mikel Arteta said it best after the game. “I’m sure this year if we can maintain him fit and available with the players around him, we’re going to see a very different Martin.”