Martin Odegaard’s new attacking role is helping drive Arsenal’s flying start, according to Mikel Arteta, after the captain struck the winner in Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Napoli. The goal, scored in the 75th minute at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, was Odegaard’s fourth in five appearances this season. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13583797/arsenal-martin-odegaard-new-role-explained-by-mikel-arteta-after-captains-champions-league-winner-at-napoli))
It was the second decisive goal in four days for the Norway international, who had also settled Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea. His latest finish came after a flowing Arsenal move and clipped the inside of the post before finding the net. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13583797/arsenal-martin-odegaard-new-role-explained-by-mikel-arteta-after-captains-champions-league-winner-at-napoli))
Arteta believes Odegaard’s improvement is rooted first in his fitness. The 27-year-old managed only one goal during an injury-disrupted 2025/26 campaign, but has started the new season with greater consistency and freedom.
“First of all he needs to be available and last year he missed so many games through injuries,” Arteta said after the match.
The Arsenal manager also pointed to the changing relationships around his captain and the quality of the players now able to carry the ball into advanced areas.
“He can start to go by different heights in the team, especially in the attacking phase, and when we get him into those positions he’s a really dangerous player,” Arteta said.
Martin Odegaard finding more dangerous positions
Odegaard’s positioning has produced a measurable change. His touches in the opposition penalty area have risen from 2.5 per 90 minutes last season to 4.3 so far this term, reflecting a player spending more time close to goal rather than operating almost exclusively from deeper midfield areas. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13583797/arsenal-martin-odegaard-new-role-explained-by-mikel-arteta-after-captains-champions-league-winner-at-napoli))
Arteta said Arsenal’s improved ability to progress the ball in open play had given Odegaard more licence to vary his position and unsettle opponents.
“When that happens, [Odegaard] needs to take different heights and angles and positions in order to disorganise the opponent and he’s done that really well,” he said.
Christos Tzolis has also quickly developed a productive understanding with the Arsenal captain. The summer signing has supplied four assists already, three of them for Odegaard goals, including the decisive strike in Naples. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13583797/arsenal-martin-odegaard-new-role-explained-by-mikel-arteta-after-captains-champions-league-winner-at-napoli))
Arsenal’s performance offered further evidence of their attacking threat. They registered 26 shots, their highest total in the Champions League since records began in 2003/04, while their expected-goals figure of 4.05 underlined how many opportunities they created. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13583797/arsenal-martin-odegaard-new-role-explained-by-mikel-arteta-after-captains-champions-league-winner-at-napoli))
Odegaard was named player of the match by UEFA after a display in which he led the contest for touches, passes and chances created. He also produced a deft pass to release Ben White for a clear opportunity, underlining that his influence extended well beyond the goal. ([uefa.com](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/02a9-218d8d30549a-1b24ad6c6a98-1000–champions-league-round-up-matchday-1-wednesday-paris-and-/?utm_source=openai))
“Martin is contributing goals,” Arteta added. “That is obviously impacting results which is what we want from our attacking players, to be decisive, and certainly he was that today.”
