Martin Odegaard has been working hard on one thing in Arsenal training and it looks to be paying off

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Martin Odegaard scored his first Arsenal goal of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion from what was a cracking effort by the midfielder.

The Arsenal captain has endured an up-and-down season from a personal perspective, so he will be hoping his first goal can ignite his campaign.

The arrival of Eberechi Eze has meant he needs to be on his toes, in the knowledge that he now has competition for his spot in the number ten role.

But his strike against Brighton was just a reminder that he remains such a vital player for the Gunners and a real threat at any moment.

Martin Odegaard works on shooting in Arsenal training

Martin Odegaard has just revealed that he has been working hard on his shooting during Arsenal training in the hope of adding more goals to his game.

The Norwegian international found the bottom corner with a sumptuous effort from just outside the penalty area after Bukayo Saka set him up nicely.

Speaking about his goal, Odegaard told Arsenal.com: “I’ve been waiting for that one and working really hard to improve on the finishing.

“I like to be in those areas, and Bukayo, we know each other really well; he finds me there, and there was a little angle in the corner there, so it was a good goal.”

Mikel Arteta thinks Odegaard produced his best performance of the season at home to Brighton, which was certainly helped by his goal.

But that has left Eze stuck on the bench, with the winger remaining as an unused substitute in back-to-back matches for the first time since April 2022.

The England international hasn’t been playing particularly well over recent weeks and has now firmly lost his place in Arteta’s team.

Martin Odegaard created five chances versus Brighton

Against Brighton, Odegaard produced more chances in one game than he has all Premier League season, with five, according to Squawka.

The midfielder’s season has been hampered by injuries, but he finally looks to be showing signs of getting back to his best.

Saka and Declan Rice have been carrying Arsenal’s chance creation stats this term, so to have Odegaard step up will be vital for the Gunners.

Surely having Odegaard to compete with Eze is going to elevate both players’ performances and now it’s time for the latter to respond.