Martin Odegaard is now a talismanic figure at Arsenal.
Martin Odegaard wears the captain’s armband for Arsenal and is very much Mikel Arteta’s surrogate on the pitch.
The Norwegian playmaker leads by example with his extraordinary work rate and commitment to the cause, and takes responsibility for directing and organising the Gunners’ press. Odegaard has been called a perfect Arsenal captain due to these qualities.
The former Real Madrid man is far more than just a runner, though. He is the heartbeat of the North London club’s attacking play. In his advanced midfield role, he is trusted to unlock opposition defences and chip in with goals himself.
Last season, he racked up 11 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. Odegaard made the PFA Team of the Year due to his form and influence over the course of that campaign, along with four of his Arsenal teammates.
In order to have achieved all that he has, and to cope with the responsibility on his shoulders, Odegaard needs to have a strong personality and unshakeable self-belief. That is why the 25-year-old’s recent admission about a childhood fear will have surprised so many Arsenal fans.
Arsenal star Martin Odegaard reveals old fear at PFA Awards
The PFA Awards took place in Manchester this year, at the Manchester Opera House – a venue with an almost 2,000 capacity.
When Odegaard, and his Arsenal colleagues David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Declan Rice were all named in the Team of the Year, they were invited on stage and given the chance to say a few words.
Prior to this moment, whilst he remained seated, Odegaard shared a personal detail about his childhood in behind the scenes footage from the event shared on the official Arsenal YouTube channel.
Odegaard confessed: “When I was younger, I was scared to even speak in front of my family, for my birthday and stuff… Life changes quickly, huh?”
Odegaard’s influence at Arsenal
Odegaard has clearly undergone a major evolution since his childhood years, and now has the confidence to be a real leader in the Arsenal dressing room, and he is also someone that younger players look to for guidance.
Odegaard has mentored Ethan Nwaneri, and the 17-year-old won’t be the only Hale End academy talent who has taken lessons from the skipper.
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