Arsenal now have a running joke about how ‘inseparable’ two of their players are

Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz have combined for seven of Arsenal’s ten goals in all competitions this season.

From the dummy against Chelsea alone, you get the sense that the understanding between the two is almost telepathic at this point.

Against Napoli in the Champions League, Odegaard completed just one pass to striker Viktor Gyokeres, who played 73 minutes. Havertz came on for the last 17, and received three passes from the captain. Their partnership is just natural.

Close friends on and off the pitch, the Arsenal dressing room can’t help but wind them up.

According to the Daily Mail, the closeness between Odegaard and Havertz has become a running joke among Arsenal players.

During the summer breaks, they go on holiday together along with their wives Helene Spilling and Sophia Weber, who are also best friends.

Havertz was a groomsman at Odegaard’s wedding in 2024, and they became fathers just months apart, both at 25.

But how did they become such close friends? Well, it started the moment Havertz arrived at the Emirates. Odegaard was the first player to text him, offering advice on the best areas to live, restaurant recommendations, and an open door whenever he needed support.

When Havertz endured a brutal early period at Arsenal, struggling in an unfamiliar position, being groaned at by the Emirates crowd, it was Odegaard who took it upon himself to help him settle.

When Sophia was subjected to horrific abuse on Instagram after Havertz had his penalty saved in an FA Cup defeat by Manchester United — threats that included their unborn child — Odegaard stayed in close contact throughout, supporting the family through one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Both players suffered significant injury problems last season. Havertz missed five months with a knee injury, while constant niggles limited Odegaard to just one goal in all competitions. Arsenal struggled offensively without them, and turned to a reliance on set-pieces in their absences.

Now both are fit, confident and producing together, and the understanding they have built through years of shared experiences off the pitch is translating into something very special on it.

It’s no coincidence that Arsenal are playing great football again. It’s because two of their best attackers and their most intelligent players are back on it. Right now, Havertz and Odegaard are Arsenal’s most important partnership.