Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard played the full 90 minutes during Norway’s 3-2 World Cup group stage win over Senegal on Monday.
The 27-year-old had a difficult 2025/26 season with the Gunners due to multiple injuries, but still managed nine goal contributions.
Odegaard has fared much better for his national side at the World Cup. He provided an assist in their opener against Iraq last week (a 4-1 win).
The Gunners ace missed a clear-cut scoring chance in the 37th minute yesterday, but provided a fabulous assist soon after to shut down his critics.
Odegaard made a tremendous lung-bursting run from his own half before putting the ball on the plate for Erling Haaland for Norway’s second goal (2-0).
Aside from his assist, the Arsenal skipper also made six recoveries while winning two duels and one tackle. He stepped up with a solid second-half display.
Shortly after the game, Odegaard was praised by the Norwegian media. Popular outlet Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK) gave him a 7/10 rating.
They mentioned that the playmaker was insanely good without the ball and set the standard for Norway’s pressing. He was also praised for making amends for his miss with an assist.
NRK wrote: “Even if the goal doesn’t come, he should be praised for getting into scoring positions. Bad choice on the counterattack before halftime, but makes up for it when he serves Haaland for 2-1. Insanely good without the ball and sets the standard for Norway’s pressing game.”
Meanwhile, Verdens Gang (VD), who were slightly critical of Odegaard’s performance against Iraq, praised the Norwegian for ‘masterfully’ delivering a fantastic through ball for Haaland’s 48th-minute goal.
The outlet said: “Three minutes into the second half, he made up [Erling Haaland’s first half miss] for it when Martin Odegaard masterfully threaded the ball through the Senegalese defence.”
Odegaard was carefully managed by Arsenal during the back end of last season due to a nagging knee issue, but he contributed a crucial assist for Leandro Trossard’s winner at West Ham United.
He has continued the good form with back-to-back assists at the World Cup. Based on manager Ståle Solbakken’s comments, Odegaard could be rested against France in preparation for the last 32 tie.
Stats from Sofascore.com