Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard plays during the match between PSV and Arsenal at the Philips Stadium for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Martin Odegaard has responded to his critics in the best way
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard gave his critics the perfect response after his season was labelled 'not good enough'.
Odegaard, 26, netted twice in the Gunners' record-breaking 7-1 win away to PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash. Arsenal now have one foot in the quarter-finals, where - barring an almighty slip-up - they'll play either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
Their Norwegian skipper the standout player against PSV, creating three chances and recording an assist to go alongside his two well-taken goals. Odegaard, who missed a chunk of matches earlier this season through injury, had only scored once since November leading up the game, with fans and pundits alike criticising his recent performances.
Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent made headlines by slamming his 'appalling' display during the Gunners' dismal 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham last month. "Martin Odegaard's form, he was appalling against West Ham. He hasn't been good since coming back from injury," Bent declared on talkSPORT.
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"He had a little flirt where he looked like he might be back but two Premier League goals this season, three in total. His performances haven't been good enough. Don't get me wrong, he's a wonderful footballer but there's too much flicks and these little scoop passes, just shoot!"
Odegaard certainly took Bent's advice to score a brace in the Netherlands and boss Mikel Arteta hailed his man-of-the-match performance. "I think a lot of players made him flow today, you could tell today that he was loose," Arteta said.
"He was enjoying it; he was with that energy and that flow that then he becomes a player that makes the difference for the team. I'm really happy that he was in a big night like that, the captain steps up and puts in a performance like he did tonight."
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Martin Odegaard was outstanding against PSV Eindhoven
Odegaard himself was delighted to get on the scoresheet and set up a potential reunion with former club Real Madrid. "Every player in my position want to influence the game with goals and assists," he explained to Prime Video Sport post-match. "It's something I haven't been good enough at this season but two goals and one assist tonight is a good step."
The 26-year-old also told UEFA: "I enjoyed that one. When you play at this stage it is always tough and especially away from home so I think we've done incredibly well to get a result like that."
Odegaard will now look to replicate his European exploits in the Premier League, as Arsenal visit Manchester United on Sunday.
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