Martin Odegaard’s Arsenal influence continues to grow, with the Norwegian now emerging as Mikel Arteta’s on-field lieutenant.
Having arrived, initially on-loan in January, the former teenage prodigy has become more and more comfortable in his new surroundings, with that progression rapidly continuing following his permanent switch in the summer window.
Arteta confirmed that the Norway national team captain quickly assumed the role of a leader after a summer recruitment drive which saw the average age of the playing squad come down.
“I think we are building some leadership in the group,” Arteta said in Septmeber. “It’s a really young group, with a lot of players under 23.
“Martin is the captain of the national team and Sambi was the captain at Anderlecht.
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“Martin has this capacity to do that with his talent, taking the ball in moments where others probably refuse to, but as well with his attitude, his rhythm and the way he presses and puts people under pressure.”
And since the departure of club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubaemayng in January, Odegaard has become one of the favourites to take the armband from the start of next season.
Alexandre Lacazette is currently the Gunners skipper, but he looks destined to leave on a free, unable to come to terms on a contract extension.
The Arsenal boss revealed last month that he had been in contact with Norway manager Stale Solbakken, who gave a glowing recommendation on his compatriot's ability to lead.
"Talking to his national team coach and how highly they speak of him. He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him,” he said.
"He is such a nice, humble guy and he leads with the way he is. It is very natural for him and that will come.
"He generated expectations when he was 16 as well. Everybody wanted him. And then he had to fulfil that in a club like Madrid where the competition is like it is.
"It is extremely difficult but now he has found his place. He is really happy here, he has the environment. He has the people, he has the time on the pitch to enjoy it and I think that is what he is doing."
Odegaard has played an integral role in a run of Arsenal form which has seen them win their last five Premier League games - and 10 of the last 11, to catapult them into the driving seat to secure top-four football.
And it’s been observed by onlookers that in breaks of play, it is not Lacazette conferring with Arteta on the touchline, but rather Odegaard who is tasked with relaying messages to his team-mates.
It’s a ploy which is reaping major dividends for the Gunners and Odegaard in particularly, after taking centre stage during Arsenal’s latest league success, the 2-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday.
On his de-facto captain’s performance, Arteta told reporters: “He was terrific in every aspect of the game. He has come a long way since his arrival. He is showing great maturity on the pitch. He makes the other players better.”
What once appeared an election with several candidates, the decision on who will become the next skipper could quickly become a one-horse race.
