Martin Ødegaard’s match-winning display for Arsenal against Napoli has prompted glowing praise from fellow Norwegian Jan Aage Fjørtoft, who believes the club captain is playing the best football of his career.
Ødegaard scored in the 75th minute as Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night. His low effort struck the inside of the post before finding the net, earning him UEFA’s Player of the Match award.
The result gave Mikel Arteta’s side a perfect start to their Champions League campaign and extended their winning run to five matches in all competitions this season.
Jan Aage Fjørtoft praises Martin Ødegaard’s form
Fjørtoft, who has followed Ødegaard since the midfielder was a teenager, said he had never seen him perform at a higher level than during the recent World Cup and the opening weeks of the campaign.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching Martin Ødegaard up close since he was 15 years old, and I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen him play better than he has during this World Cup and the opening games of this season,” he said.
“He’s the complete footballer: vision, intelligence, work rate, leadership, and an incredible understanding of the game. But what stands out most is how much he still plays with joy. Right now, he’s at the peak of his powers.”
The comments underline the contrast between Ødegaard’s current form and a difficult previous campaign, when injuries and a loss of rhythm limited his influence and he scored only once in all competitions.
The 27-year-old has already found the net four times this season, while his leadership and creativity have been central to Arsenal’s unbeaten start.
Ødegaard offers Arsenal an extra attacking threat
Paul Merson has also compared the midfielder’s return to form to the arrival of a £100 million signing, a view that reflects how important Ødegaard could be to Arsenal’s hopes of challenging on multiple fronts.
Arsenal were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in last season’s Champions League final after a 1-1 draw in Budapest. Their victory in Naples was therefore an encouraging opening statement as they attempt to go one step further this time.
With Ødegaard contributing more regularly from midfield, Arsenal possess an additional source of goals and invention behind their forwards. Maintaining that level could prove decisive in their pursuit of further domestic success and a first European title.
