Martin Keown has hailed the return to form of Martin Odegaard after the Arsenal captain starred in a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield. The reigning Premier League champions laid down a marker with a comprehensive win that will leave new City boss Enzo Maresca contemplating the size of the task ahead.
First-half goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz set the Gunners on their way, before Odegaard sealed the win with a superb solo effort just after half-time. By his own high standards, the Norway international endured a difficult campaign last season, with injury hampering him and Eberechi Eze providing a genuine threat to his starting role.
Keown: Odegaard's swagger returns
Speaking to TNT Sports, Keown said: 'These moments are great for these players because it gives them a new confidence. I saw Odegaard with a new swagger in his play. For large parts of last year maybe he wasn't at his best but he certainly looked like it today, some real creativity from him.'
'I talked about his swagger coming back and those connections. There was nutmegs, little changes of direction, it just seems it's all coming back again. He sat the goalkeeper down beautifully for the goal, a top goalkeeper by the way. He looks like he's coming back with a new intention, he came back earlier by all accounts.'
'He hasn't had much of a break because he missed so much of last season so he can afford to do that. The manager gave him a large chunk of this match, he's going to come under pressure but he's handling it really well and that's what the manager wants. He wants him to play his football and it looks like it's there.'
Nevin: Odegaard like a new signing
BBC pundit and former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin echoed those sentiments, fearing that a rejuvenated Odegaard underlines Arsenal's status as title favourites. He said: 'Martin Odegaard looked back to his very, very best and it's like a new, brilliant signing. Eze back up and running, like a new signing as well. Madueke had a number of injuries last season, Kai Havertz as well.'
'They probably only need one more signing and they are, by some distance, the team to beat this season.'
Odegaard: We want to win everything
Odegaard himself was delighted with the performance and insists he and his colleagues are hungry for more trophies. He said: 'We played some brilliant football. Great performance and a great way to start the season. I always want to help the team as much as possible with goals and assists. I want to score more goals.'
'We showed our level today. We showed we're ready. We're serious and we want to do it again. We want to attack it. We want to do it again. When you get a taste of how nice it is you want to do it again. We want to win everything.'
