Ødegaard regains rhythm to dictate Arsenal's tempo again

Free from injury at last and looking rejuvenated, captain brought fresh cheer for Arteta with his display against Villa

- Ed Aarons

Arsenal's captain is at the wheel Martin Odegaard looked back to his best in the wins over Aston Villa and Brighton

(STUART MACKENZIE/SHUTTERSTOCK GETTY IMAGES)

When Arsenal really needed Martin Ødegaard, the captain finally rediscovered his magic touch.

Gabriel Magalhaes had just opened the scoring against Aston Villa after a first half in which Mikel Arteta’s nervous side were struggling without the influential Declan Rice. Then it happened.

Jadon Sancho was waiting to receive a pass from Youri Tielemans inside Villa’s half but, before the forward knew it, Ødegaard had pinched the ball and was haring towards Emiliano Martinez’s goal. A jink back on to his left foot fooled Tielemans and allowed Ødegaard to play the perfect through ball for Martin Zubimendi to score the crucial second. It was the fifth goal or assist that Zubimendi has contributed since he joined in the summer - the joint-best return of his club career - and the Spaniard’s impact was rightly hailed by a delighted Arteta. “Credit to his teammates as well, how easy they make it for him,” said the Arsenal manager in anod to Ødegaard.