Odegaard was making his first start since his most recent shoulder injury, which kept him out of action for matches against Manchester City and Port Vale. But he didn’t look like a player returning from injury, instead running the show like he’d never been away.

Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta suggested Odegaard was back to his previous level of high performance for the Gunners.

“Yeah, he was phenomenal,” Arteta said. “I think he influenced the game in a manner that is very important for us because he continued to play forward, carrying the ball, putting people through on goal, and generated some big chances for his teammates.

“He should have scored a goal as well in the big open chance that he had. So very good to have him back at this level.

“He’s got all the licence in the world to go forward, Martin, and to play with that freedom, and to play with that level of threat especially, not only with the passes, but the way he was taking the ball, carrying the ball, making runs and arriving in really dangerous areas.

“I think he put three people through today to score a goal. So, great to have him back. He played some very good minutes in Newcastle to help us to win the game, and I think today he was phenomenal.”

Odegaard created four chances on the night, one of which ended up being the assist for Saka’s goal. The midfielder also had a great chance to score himself, but his first effort was well saved and the rebound blocked at source.

Even without those final-ball contributions, Odegaard’s overall display was impressive and made him the clear Player of the Match on the night.

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