Martin Odegaard really is Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil replacement – he just matched one record

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard matched one Mesut Ozil record during the Gunners’ clash with Manchester City. 

When Ozil started to fizzle out at Arsenal, the immediate concern was who would ever replace the German’s creative expertise.

Odegaard arrived shortly after and became Mikel Arteta’s star creator, inhabiting the number ten spot that was Ozil’s for so long.

While there have been some complaints over Odegaard’s form this season, the Norwegian has now made his place in Arsenal’s history known. 

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Martin Odegaard matches Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal record

From Dennis Bergkamp to Ozil, to Odegaard, Arsenal have maintained their possession of a prized playmaker in central midfield.

While the latter has some ground to cover before he reaches the highs of Bergkamp, Odegaard has in fact matched Ozil’s level.

That’s on the goal front anyway, as against Manchester City, Odegaard’s early goal was his 33rd in the Premier League for Arsenal, matching Ozil’s tally during his Emirates career.

Ozil took 184 Premier League appearances to reach 33 goals for the Gunners, whereas the current captain has taken only 138.

While the Norwegian will be thrilled to have matched Arsenal’s former number ten’s goalscoring record, he has quite a way to go until he reaches Ozil’s assist tally in red and white.

The World Cup winner recorded 55 Premier League assists during his career in England, with Odegaard boasting just 26.

Mesut Ozil’s record at Arsenal 

Odegaard has broken several Premier League records for the 2024/25 campaign and now, the captain has joined playmaking royalty by equalling Ozil’s goal tally.

Now enjoying life away from playing football professionally, Ozil can look back on his Arsenal career with pride, having left behind an impressive contribution.

Real Madrid’s former ‘assist king’ was indeed a king of creativity in N5 during his time in England, being agonisingly close to matching Thierry Henry’s assist record. 

The most assists in a Premier League season is Henry’s 20, with Ozil reaching 19 in the 2015/16 campaign in a team that lacked attacking glamour.

Fortunately, after Ozil’s regression, Arsenal were gifted Odegaard years later and it’s clear that the skipper is worthy of taking the German’s throne.