Martin Ødegaard set a precedent for his Arsenal season against Manchester City

Martin Ødegaard looked back to his best with a superb performance in Arsenal's 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City, setting a precedent for the forthcoming season.

Despite leading his team to the Premier League title in May, the Gunners captain has struggled for form over the past two campaigns, but his showing against City proved that his ability is still there and he is ready to perform once again.

The Norway skipper sent a message with his display in Cardiff that he is prepared to prove a point for his side in the 2026/27 season.

1 - Along with scoring a goal, Martin Ødegaard led all @Arsenal players against Man City for:

Passes completed (55/58 - 95%)
Dribbles completed (3/3 - 100%)
Possession won (9)

Composure. pic.twitter.com/gwp3jhEEVK

Ødegaard was one of Arsenal's standout players in their Community Shield triumph and that saw him earn the official player of the match award as well lifting the trophy in front of his side's travelling supporters at the Millennium Stadium.

He got on the scoresheet in the 48th minute when he latched onto a pass from debutant Christos Tzolis to knock the ball past a sliding Joško Gvardiol and break through one-on-one with Gianluigi Donnarumma, tricking him with a fake attempt before converting into practically an empty net.

That wasn't his only contribution to his side's win though as he also played a part in their second goal when he sent a perfect delivery to the back post for Tzolis to meet and head across goal for Kai Havertz to nod in from close range.

The Norwegian also led his side in accurate passes with 55 of his 58 attempts completed, successful dribbles with three from three and winning possession nine times. He also created one chance and got back to help out and defend with five ground duels won and two defensive contributions.

It was a showing that has been very absent from Ødegaard in the past two years as he has battled with inconsistent form and fitness, which has hindered him from playing his best football that saw him named his side's player of the season in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns.

His return in the last two seasons was relatively subpar for someone of his standard as he looked like a completely different player from the years prior. He scored six goals and provided 12 assists in 45 appearances during the 2024/25 season. Ødegaard then battled with injury significantly last term, netting just once and assisting eight times in 36 games.

The captain's poor showings led to some speculation over his Gunners future this summer, but after an impressive World Cup in which he led Norway to the quarter-finals, their best ever result at the tournament, it looks clear that he is staying put in North London.

Ødegaard looked back to his best against City and while some will regard the Community Shield as a glorified friendly, such a dominant win over one of the club's biggest rivals will obviously be massively appreciated by the fanbase.

When asked about his skipper's performance after the game, Mikel Arteta said: "He missed five or six months for different things and it was extremely difficult for him to get any momentum.

"I'm sure this year if we can maintain him fit, available with the players around him, we're going to see a very different Martin. I sense from the first day that he joined that he has something else on the belly that he wants to prove and show because the team needs it as well."

There is a long season ahead for Arsenal as they look to retain their title for the first time since 1935 and go far in other competitions, and Ødegaard looks like he is ready to return to his old ways and lead his side by example.

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