One Arsenal star looked like a completely different player vs Como, he could be a game-changer now
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Como in their final pre-season game of the summer.
Mikel Arteta named a much-changed line-up against Cesc Fabregas’ side, and to be fair to the players, they played really well.
The likes of Eberechi Eze, Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been earning rave reviews and rightly so.
But the player who impressed us the most was skipper Martin Odegaard.
Martin Odegaard has looked like a completely different player in Arsenal’s pre-season
Odegaard has had a really difficult last two seasons at Arsenal.
The Norway international has missed a total of 45 games for club and country since the start of the 2024/25 season, and that affected his form when he was fit too.
However, since the end of last season, Odegaard has looked a changed man.
The Arsenal captain had a fantastic World Cup for Norway, and in the two pre-season games he has played so far, he has been unbelievable.
Against Como on Wednesday night, Odegaard created three chances, including a big one, despite only coming on the pitch at half-time.
He had 38 touches of the ball and completed 33 of his 34 attempted passes, maintaining a stunning 97 per cent passing accuracy.
Sofascore gave Odegaard an 8.4/10 rating, the highest of all the players who played, apart from David Raya, who saved two penalties in the shootout.
This is exactly what Arsenal need ahead of the start of the new season from their captain, and with Bruno Guimaraes also impressing against Como, the immediate future looks bright for Arsenal.
Arsenal fans are in awe of Martin Odegaard
Odegaard has come under a fair bit of criticism over the last two seasons, with some Arsenal fans even calling for him to be sold.
However, after watching his performance against Como, everyone is in awe of the skipper.
One Arsenal fan tweeted: “Martin Odegaard has been back to his best this pre-season. That is absolutely massive for us.”
Another wrote: “Martin Odegaard looks healthy for the first time in over a year. He looks like he’s regained some of the weight he had lost rapidly, and he was stronger, sharper and more committed in challenges. If Arsenal can rediscover him, everything goes up a level.”
“Odegaard, when he’s in top form like this, is absolutely unplayable and undroppable. Yeah.. I’m afraid Eze might need to start fighting Christos Tzolis for a starting spot at LW,” said another.
Another Gooner posted: “There are very few footballers who make the game look as effortless as Martin Odegaard. Still one of the most elegant players on planet Earth. If he stays fit this season, prepare yourselves. Prime Ode could be about to announce himself.”