Martin Odegaard has just done something no Arsenal player has since Mesut Ozil

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is a talking point over the November international break, despite not playing a single minute.

Odegaard is nearing his return from injury, in what has been an incredibly frustrating start to 2025/26 for the midfielder.

Arsenal’s skipper has already missed 12 games due to injuries this campaign, but that hasn’t stopped him from topping the charts. 

Despite missing three games of Norway’s World Cup Qualifiers, Odegaard was sure to leave his mark, achieving something that no Arsenal player has since Mesut Ozil. 

• READ MORE: Man City star says Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is his idol

Martin Odegaard replicates Mesut Ozil feat in the World Cup Qualifiers 

Remarkably, Odegaard finished top of the World Cup Qualifiers assist table, setting up seven goals for Norway in only five appearances.

Odegaard’s connection with Erling Haaland acted as almost a cheat code for Norway, as the Manchester City star was the top scorer while the Arsenal captain was top of the pile in the assist charts. 

It’s not only Norway who will love what Odegaard produced in the qualifiers, as, at Arsenal, it was a feat that hasn’t happened since 2013. 

Ozil was the last Arsenal player to finish top of the World Cup Qualifiers assist table, ending Germany’s campaign with ten assists in eight matches.

The following year, the attacking midfielder won the World Cup with Germany, so Odegaard might be even happier that he’s replicated the German’s success. 

Odegaard absolutely loves Ozil 

Replicating Ozil is something that Odegaard has been credited with doing in the past, having followed a similar path to the now-retired playmaker.

In a 2022 interview with TV2, the Norwegian admitted that he makes an exception about comparisons when it comes to Ozil. 

“I’m not a fan of comparing myself to other players, but I take it as a big compliment,” Odegaard said.

“He was a player I looked up to a lot. He was one of my favourites when I was younger.”

Ozil will forever be remembered as one of the best creative assets of the Emirates era, a title Odegaard is in the process of working his way up to.