Martin Odegaard: Stats prove Norwegian media are spot on about Arsenal star's display vs Denmark
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was in superb form as Norway beat Denmark 3-2 in their Nations League opener on Thursday.
The 27-year-old provided assists for Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland, with the latter's second goal proving the difference after Mikkel Damsgaard and Rasmus Hojlund had levelled the scoring.
Odegaard has began the season in stunning form, scoring four goals in eight games across all competitions for the Gunners so far.
The midfielder enjoyed a strong World Cup with Norway, too, and looks to have shaken off the injury issues that plagued him throughout the last two seasons.
Mikel Arteta will hope that Odegaard can now continue to take steps forward, with his form expected to be key to aims of retaining the Premier League title in North London.
The Gunners have been left weakened in attack following a, at times, frustrating summer transfer window and will look for more from their current options.
Norway media hail 'decisive' Martin Odegaard display
Despite being fierce rivals at club level, Odegaard and Haaland combine incredibly well for Norway.
The Arsenal captain assisted the Manchester City striker yet again on Thursday, sliding the ball across the box to be smashed home.
The assist for Bobb was cuter - a short pass into the box, that the Fulham winger latched onto before finding the bottom corner.
Odegaard took an astonishing 107 touches overall, was fouled three times and played an absurd 19 passes into the final third - at least eight more than anybody else on the pitch.
He did his defensive duties too, making a clearance, an interception and seven recoveries - the joint-most of anyone.
433 Norway rated Odegaard an eight out of 10, and wrote: "Had bad luck with several of the balls he aimed at Haaland in the first half, but in the second half it was a smart corner option. Controls the tempo throughout the match.
Dagbladet came to the same rating, and wrote that "the captain was involved in Norway's play the entire time".
"He ran like crazy and delivered a beautiful assist to Bobb for the 1-0 goal. He followed that up with a decisive assist to Haaland in the second half. A brilliant game," they added.
Odegaard's extraordinary international form
The last year has been a transformational one for Norwegian football, led by Odegaard and Haaland.
The pair have excelled for club level for years but never could quite put it together for their nation, before something clicked.
Odegaard has 15 direct goal contributions across his last 13 games for Norway, with many of those being assists for Haaland.
After a fairy tale World Cup campaign and a strong start to the Nations League, the only direction appears to be up for Norway.