In May of this year, Martin Odegaard became the first Arsenal player to get his hands on the Premier League in 22 years.
Regardless of whether you think he should be the official captain of this great football club, it was fitting that the Norwegian was the first of the current squad to hoist the trophy into the air.
Odegaard was one of the first to believe in the Mikel Arteta project. He signed in January 2021 on an initial loan deal, just a year after Arteta was given the reins. He joined permanently later that year.
Since then, the skipper has been rather inconsistent. In 2022/23, he scored 15 goals in all competitions. Last season, he scored just once.
Why Odegaard has been Arsenal’s Player of the Season
While the 2025/26 campaign proved historic for the Gunners, it was a really abject one on a personal level for Odegaard.
Having battled ankle injuries in recent years, the captain struggled for not just form but also fitness. He looked incapable of striking through the ball cleanly.
Yet, after an outstanding World Cup for Norway where he was one of the best players out in North America, the midfielder now looks like he is back to his best.
It all started with a fabulous goal in the Community Shield against Manchester City.
Christos Tzolis darted inside and then played a ball towards Kai Havertz. The German was so intelligent with his play, leaving the ball for Odegaard, who sat down Gianluigi Donnarumma before sliding the ball into the back of the net.
Since that moment, Arsenal’s number 8 has been the form player at the club, scoring four goals in eight matches this term. Currently, he is on course for the best individual campaign of his career.
Odegaard has his mojo back, and he’s striking through the ball as cleanly as he ever has. That special winner against Napoli in the Champions League is evidence of that.
The concern with Odegaard
The question surrounding Odegaard has always been: is this a player who can reach Kevin De Bruyne’s level? Is this a player who can contribute the best part of 30 goals and assists throughout a single campaign?
Say what you like about Manchester City’s charges, De Bruyne is undoubtedly the gold standard for a number 10 and that’s who Odegaard has naturally been compared to throughout the years.
As good as the 27-year-old has been so far this season, the answer to that question is that he is unlikely to reach the same level.
There is a reason that Arsenal targeted Morgan Rogers over the summer and there is a reason the idea of signing Dani Olmo has also been floated.
Odegaard is a magician from a creative standpoint, but his ability to score regularly has always been questioned. Sure, he’s already scored four goals this term, but he is not a ruthless finisher. That element of his game has regularly left something to be desired.
He’s also not the quickest of players either. He can unlock a defence and he can pick a pass but he’s not much use in transition. That’s an issue for an Arsenal team that lacks pace. Since the departure of Gabriel Martinelli, they don’t have too much speed at all on the counter.
|
Fastest players by top speed at Arsenal (26/27) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Top speed |
|
1. Cristhian Mosquera |
34.8 km/h |
|
2. Kai Havertz |
34.1 km/h |
|
3. Christos Tzolis |
33.0 km/h |
|
4. Noni Madueke |
32.7 km/h |
|
5. Piero Hincapie |
32.5 km/h |
|
6. Declan Rice |
32.4 km/h |
So, it may be time for someone with a bit more drive, a bit more bite from central areas.
How Arsenal can replace Odegaard long-term
The most natural long-term replacement for Odegaard is certainly Max Dowman. The 16-year-old is one of the best young players in the world and he’s making waves already despite his age.
He is the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history and, despite not playing a single league minute this term, has still made an impact, notably scoring twice against Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup.
But, what if Arsenal had another Dowman on the way? Well, they may well.
He goes by the name of Holger Quintero. Just 17 years of age, Quintero has never actually played for the Gunners and that’s because he’s not officially an Arsenal player yet.
Indeed, he’s not set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2027, when he will be 18. Last autumn, the club agreed a deal to sign not just Holger but also his twin brother, Edwin, from Independiente Del Valle in Ecuador.
You may well have heard of this club. That’s because they pride themselves on having one of the best youth systems in world football.
In years gone by, they have produced Moises Caicedo, William Pacho, Piero Hincapie and Joel Ordonez. Well, the Quintero twins are the next cabs of the rank.
While Edwin certainly has the greatest potential – he has already played nine times for the IDV first team and scored – Holger is a little way behind, but not by much.
The teenager is cut from a similar cloth as not just Odegaard but he’s also a taller player in the mould of the aforementioned Rogers.
Described as “one of the most exciting U17s in South America” by scout Jacek Kulig, he is outlined as a “magnificent technical prospect with superb close control”. That certainly sounds like the Arsenal skipper.
One of Quintero’s finest attributes is his ability to carve open a defence. He’s a mighty fine creative player but what sets him apart from Odegaard is that he is strong in transition.
In that regard, he’s more like a Rogers or De Bruyne. He’s got pace and he’s got long strides to help him burst away from opponents.
In the words of Kulig, he has “elite dribbling skills and futsal-like ball control.” As a result, Quintero looks like the perfect type of player to help break down the countless low blocks Arsenal play against.
He’s not quite at the level of his twin, but he’s still one of the finest youth talents in the world right now. Get excited Arsenal fans, your long-term Odegaard solution is on the way.