We are watching Martin Ødegaard fulfil his promise to Arsenal in real time

Heading into this season, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard was tasked with improving his attacking numbers. The club were happy with his leadership both on and off the pitch, but they wanted to see him more involved in goal and assist conversions.

It was a fair demand for Arsenal to make. After all, Ødegaard has technical ability in abundance, but he's not been known to be involved in Arsenal's end product. He was more advanced in this metric when he first signed from Real Madrid, but as his game evolved, so too did his involvement in Arsenal's charts.

So far this season, Martin Ødegaard has scored two goals in Arsenal's opening three Premier League games. He also scored in the Community Shield against Man City, if you wish to include that.

Arsenal have scored six Premier League goals in total, with all six of them being evenly split between three players: Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard.

Of course, Arsenal will have involvements from other players sooner or later, but it shows they have moved past what they were criticised for last season: that being, they are far less reliant on set pieces so far this season.

Ødegaard is not the type of midfielder to guarantee 20+ goals in a season. He doesn't need to be that type of midfielder, either; Arsenal are not relying on him for that.

That said, his ability to put on his scoring boots so fast shows that he respects Arsenal's hierarchy. He is the right man for the captaincy, and he's proving that by adding yet another element to his already multifaceted style at a moment's notice.

When you are a leader, your word means everything. If you say you are going to do something, you do it. No questions asked.

There was every possibility that Arsenal could have sold Ødegaard in the summer. Granted, it would have been a ridiculous decision given the form he ended last season in, but the Gunners were reckless in the summer.

Lo and behold, they trusted Ødegaard, and it turned out to be the right decision.

It wasn't a great showing from Ødegaard last season, but he's already pacing towards a much better season. With Arsenal's depth being greater than ever, he will keep fit, and he will keep fighting for the club he has truly grown to love.

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