Someone once mentioned that the captain is the heart and soul of their ship. Over the past two seasons, Martin Ødegaard has really found his place as Arsenal captain. His leadership has been instrumental in the club’s continued success.
When Ødegaard joined Arsenal on a loan deal during the 2020–21 winter transfer window, there were concerns about his stability and physicality. Regrettably, his loan deal failed to yield the expected impact, confirming the doubts of many.
Arteta went with his gut in the summer transfer window of 2021, passing on a £60 million deal for established Premier League playmaker James Maddison and instead opting to sign the Norwegian for £30 million. Despite his permanent signing, Odegaard’s performance in the 2021/22 season didn’t shush critics; he didn’t deliver in front of goal.
Even so, in the summer of 2022, Arteta went ahead and made a pretty controversial decision to make him captain. Some people thought the armband might weigh him down, but it actually didn’t. In the 2022–23 season, the Norwegian truly showcased his abilities, silencing the doubters. He had an impressive performance, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists that made headlines.
Some critics claimed that his performance was only temporary. However, his impressive 8 goals and 10 assists in the 2023–24 season disproved that claim. Last season, he was always on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, consistently giving his all, never getting tired, and becoming an indispensable player for Arsenal.
Martin Ødegaard has been improving himself more and more every season since the day he arrived at Emirates Stadium, constantly surpassing our expectations. Despite constant criticism and predictions that he will never be the league’s best playmaker, he consistently excels.
Remarkably, the CIES Football Observatory has valued him at €100 million, which is roughly £85 million, but surely he would command a much bigger fee if he decided to move on and started a bidding war.
But he seems to love being at Arsenal working under Arteta and can hopefully be looking to be the captain of one of the best teams in the world in the years to come. Even when Arsenal is under immense pressure, Martin Ødegaard continues to lead the team forward and will spur his team into a trophy-filled future.
Come on you Gooners!
Jack anderson.
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Hard to say what anyone is ‘worth’ in this market when you have clubs like Chelsea overpaying so dramatically. If Caicedo is 100 million plus then Odegaard is 150 million easily, but it doesn’t really work like that. He’s certainly north of 100 million though.
Odeegaard was already a Norway NT captain before he was named Arsenal captain. So he was already acknowledged for his leadership qualities long before he signed for us.
He was and still is a high quality player who would have shined wherever he go. He was a Madrid player at such a young age and Madrid paid a transfer record for youth when they bought him. That also should say of his quality.
I had to say that because the article make it like it’s all Arteta.
It was good job from Edu and Co to snatch him at the earliest opportunity and for 30 million it was a steal.
He has yet to reach his peak and yet he is one of the pillars of the team and one of the league’s finest. This kind of a player you don’t sell unless you have big financial problems.
For monetary value I think it’s above a 100 million.
“I had to say that because the article make it like it’s all Arteta.”
Arteta is mentioned just 3 times in the article, and no where it seems to be the case where it’s insinuated that Odegaard wouldn’t have shined if not for Arteta. It’s just that Arteta managed to understand the player better than the giants at Real Madrid and knowing his leadership quality gave him the armband. Sometimes a little nudge such as that goes a long way in terms of boosting a player’s morale, as morale was what he was lacking atm having such underwhelming seasons at Madrid. And it’s remarkable Arteta did what it took, however small a step it might look, when the Madrid’s management clearly failed to utilize and motivate such a generational talent which he was at that age. Throwing money at talents doesn’t guarantee that the club actually appreciate the talent. Look at Chelsea.
And I don’t believe Odegaard would have shined wherever he went, when he clearly didn’t make it at Madrid. There is no guarantee you can ever make in such matters. We have seen so many generational talents get wasted before they materialize. It’s very disrespectful, imo, to disregard how Arteta gave Odegaard the armband and just that acknowledgement of the qualities a player has is sometimes enough, that surprisingly many “great” managers fail at or consider a puny thing to even consider.
In fact, I would say, it’s you who is trying too hard imo to remove the Arteta name from the positive growth of our players. Sorry to say, but it was such a cheap attack on such clear and obvious points stated in the article.
Perfect response Daulat
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How many players have grown out of 29 he has signed? How many have regressed? How many have grown from the academy?
ESR? Vieira? Nketiah? Nelson? Ramsdale? Lokonga? Tavares? Etc?
Are you saying he spent 800 million on players and still he had to nurture them? Why did they cost so much then?
If the players become good it’s Arteta if they do not it’s themselves. Fantastic!
perfect response HH
Best comment I have seen ina while HH
I have to agree with CEIS valuation, I think £85 million is fair. But then again because of today’s transfer fees he could easily fetch £100 million in these current situations.
Odegaard has surpassed my original thoughts about him and, to be honest, I wasn’t very impressed when he signed permanently for us.
I also think he has grown in statue (and value) under the watchful eye of MA and that should also be recognised.
Being old school, I always look for the likes of McClintock, Adams and Vieria as motivational captains, but MO has really inspired me with his way of showing his passion and commitment.
I would say his value is increasing every season and must be around the £100 million mark at this moment in time.
Agree, was going to write the same but you did it for me.
It just goes to show that a change of scene can work wonders. It did for Odegaard and as a club we have to be thankful that Arteta and Edu loaned him and saw what a talent they had on their hands.
Ken1945 is right to point out that it took time to settle in but what a player he has turned out to be.
Mention has been made of the crazy fees but his worth has to be on a par with Rice.
@MrsSueP.
Don’t forget the player’s application, attitude, mentality, hardwork and the willingness to learn. Odegaard has shown and keep showing the willingness to improve himself under Arteta..
When we signed him many said that he was overpriced at £30 million and that they believe he will never be anything special at Arsenal..
And as I keep saying: “Patience and bigger picture” outlook should always be utilised other than the myopic / sensationalistic shortsightedness that we all seem to engage in.
Just after a 6 month loan many had given up on this talented young man.. Only 6 months and that was it for many..
Goonster
MO has certainly shown everything you have pointed out in your first paragraph
Character is often overlooked
The right setup and support has benefited Odegaard who was identified as a talent quite early. It appeared that he may have stalled in his progress at a certain point which is part of the reason Real Madrid let him go.
The fact that Arteta was so keen to sign him is remarkably underrated. It is notable that he was written off very quickly by certain fans.
He has now developed into one the world’s great midfielders and any theoretical transfer would probably require in excess of £100m
£200 Million, minimum.
£200 million due to his age and being probably the world’s best center midfielder.
😂
North of £130 million for me. he is our heart and soul and with Rice is the same. Well done Mikel for building us such a huge team. The future is bright for us Arsenal supporters.
Many wrote off Odegaard after just a few months with us. And that Bissouma, Buendia, Aoar would have been better talents / additions than overpaying £30 million for for etc..
smh