Martin Odegaard certainly didn’t sound like a man regretting his decision to come to Arsenal in his post-match interview on Tuesday.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Martin Odegaard (L) of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Gabriel Martinelli after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 06, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard (L) of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Gabriel Martinelli after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 06, 2021. (Photo by Gareth Copley / Getty Images)

Martin Odegaard perhaps took a little longer than some of the other summer signings to get settled this season, though that’s a pretty high bar to begin with.

The likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu have immediately stepped into the Premier League starting lineup, and Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga have taken their chances well for the most part.

At first, Odegaard was the only one who hadn’t really managed to get going, but December has been a breakthrough month for him.

With three goals and an assist, this is certainly the midfielder’s most productive Arsenal month in a goalscoring sense, but his overall performances have also gone up a level.

The 23-year-old could easily have had three assists against Leeds United, and his wonderful pass in behind for one of Tuesday’s goals against Sunderland was playmaking at its best.

Speaking after the match, Odegaard seemed excited to be part of a team with a lot of potential.

“I’ve come into a fantastic team with lots of young and exciting players,” said Odegaard, in quotes translated by Sebastian Pedersen.

“We are a team that’s heading up and forwards in a huge club that’s supposed to be at the top. We’re a hungry group of players and it feels good to be here.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal scores their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal scores their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton at Emirates Stadium on December 11, 2021. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

One purple patch isn’t enough to make an Arsenal career, and Odegaard has to stay consistent.

But as a player in his early twenties in a new league, you expect an adjustment period. The former Real Madrid man is an acquisition for the long term, and we’re now seeing the signs of what he can do if and when he reaches his best.