Logically, Martin Odegaard will not follow in the footsteps of Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira. Probably, he will not become the third Arsenal captain to lift the Premier League trophy in celebration; or not this season, anyway. Yet the fact that there is still a title race, still a chance owes much to his brand of leadership: less warrior-captain than scorer-skipper, taking his technique to turn himself into more of a finisher than he ever was before.
After a decisive double against Chelsea came an opener at Newcastle. After no wins in four games, Arsenal have two in six days. Theirs may be a doomed pursuit of Manchester City, but rather than abandoning it, they have accelerated it. This, arguably, was Arsenal’s best result of the season, both in isolation and in context. Newcastle’s brilliant form, outstanding home record and ferocious start rendered it a terrific win; the consequences of defeat, and the chance City could seal the title next Sunday if they lost, made it a still better one.
