Arsenal summer signing Martin Odegaard wowed the Norway crowd on Tuesday night by helping his country thrash Gibraltar 5-1 in their World Cup qualifier.
In terms of goals, it was a certain Erling Braut Haaland who caused havoc by netting a hat-trick – a typical day out for him, then.
But Odegaard produced a stunning display in the middle of the park, which also included him making 12 key passes during the game, as posted by WhoScored.
Things may not be going well for the 22-year-old at Arsenal, but at least he returns to North London with some confidence.
Now it’s a case of being able to translate what he produces for his country, for his club because Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of it.
Added with his 12 key passes, Odegaard also had an 86% passing rate during the game and had 144 touches of the ball, as posted by WhoScored.
No one else in the Norway team came close because Marcus Pedersen had 99 touches and Kristoffer Ajer had 74.
Both of those players are defenders and would have been playing in less risky areas and much deeper on the field of play.
In what is Odegaard’s second return to the Emirates, it has been a steady start for the £30 million man (Sky Sports).
But Arsenal’s clash against Norwich this Saturday is one pressure-cooker encounter and Odegaard’s ball-carrying ability is going to be needed.
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