Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been known as one of the best playmakers in European football for nearly a decade now since breaking out in the Dutch division before shining in the top five leagues with Real Sociedad.
He is already off to another great start as a playmaker despite no assists, as he is averaging 2.4 key passes per game through five Premier League starts for Arsenal in 2026/27.
But he is also leading the league in a less publicized stat. Per Gradient Sports, Odegaard is first in the Premier League in the number of times he opens his body while receiving a pass.
While this seems like a nothing statistic, it is actually very important. See, Odegaard is not just a traditional attacking midfielder. He is like an 8 and a 10 rolled in one, as he is someone who not only makes the final pass but also progresses the ball and sets the tempo as a metronome.
To compare to another club that loves possession like Arsenal, Odegaard is like having Dani Olmo and Frenkie de Jong rolled into one player offensively. He knows exactly how to position himself and is always looking to keep the ball progressing forward and to a teammate in the right position, from the moment the ball arrives to his own feet.
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THE TRIVELA EFFECT
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.