Martin Odegaard delivered a standout performance as Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield, with his goal early in the second half sealing victory. The win offered a promising blueprint for the Gunners' attack without a marquee signing this summer.
Odegaard's return to form
Odegaard's finish came barely two minutes into the second half, moving Arsenal 3-0 up in Cardiff. It was a display that suggested the captain is ready to play a key role in the club's pursuit of more significant trophies.
The 27-year-old had a frustrating campaign last season, hampered by knee and shoulder issues. He started only 16 league matches and scored just one goal in 36 appearances across all competitions. There were calls for Eberechi Eze to take his place and for Declan Rice to take the captain's armband.
Arteta said after the Community Shield: "He missed five or six months for different things and it was extremely difficult for him to get any momentum. I'm sure this year if we can maintain him fit, available with the players around him, we're going to see a very different Martin."
Transfer window wait
Arsenal still want to strengthen in attack before the end of the transfer window. Having missed out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Jr, there is a desire to land an elite left winger, but appealing options have diminished as the summer has progressed.
Instead, the most transformative change to Arsenal's attack currently available is getting Odegaard back to his best. He has entered the final two years of his contract and will want to set himself up for what is likely the last lucrative long-term deal of his career.
Signs of improvement
Odegaard's display against City was not just about his finish. His clipped cross set up Arsenal's second goal, and he was central to a dominant performance. He won five of his seven duels and made more recoveries than anyone on the pitch.
Odegaard said: "Last year was really a big struggle with a lot of difficult moments. That's the worst thing for a footballer, to not be on the pitch. I had quite a lot of weird injuries and bad luck. It was good to end it with the title here and then a good World Cup. Then I had my break. Now I feel good."
Arteta sensed a difference immediately: "I sense from the first day that he joined that he has something else in the belly that he wants to prove and show because the team needs it as well."
Looking ahead
Odegaard made his first pre-season appearance just over a week ago, playing 30 minutes against Borussia Dortmund. With Bruno Guimaraes added to the squad, Arsenal will have better technical quality on the ball, and Odegaard can expect more opportunities to open up defences.
Last season's title success was built on defensive foundations, with no elite striker and inconsistent wingers. In the absence of a marquee signing, Arsenal will improve if they get more from their current forwards. Odegaard at his best can elevate the attack to another level, as he did in the 2022/23 season with 15 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
The Community Shield provided the latest proof that Odegaard looks ready to return to those top levels, physically and in terms of final-third contributions. He has already led Arsenal to a league title as captain; now he will be desperate to do so again as the creative heartbeat.
