Martin Odegaard admits he needed to disconnect after a tough end to the 2022/23 campaign, but he feels better able to do that now.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard celebrates in front of fans after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard celebrates in front of fans after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 3, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

For the most part, Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard had a very good season in 2022/23.

The 24-year-old scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in a busy campaign for the Gunners, helping them to compete in a title race with Manchester City.

Odegaard also led Norway as captain on a number of occasions throughout the year, and he provided assists in wins over the Republic and Ireland and Cyprus.

Yet it wasn’t all good news for the Arsenal man.

Towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign, things started to fall apart. Arsenal dropped off the top of the table to eventually finish second, whilst Norway lost two of their opening four European Championship qualifiers.

Odegaard went into the summer on the back of a double sucker punch.

arsenal fc v fulham fc premier league
LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on August 26, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2 this week, Odegaard admitted the situation left him needing a break from football.

“The whole ending (of last season), first with the club and then with the national team, was difficult. I had a good season, a lot of good things happened, but when you finish like that, it becomes extra heavy,” Odegaard explained.

“I felt I was very tired after the season. I needed a break, needed to disconnect and do completely different things.

“The sum of both the club season and what happened here (with Norway) made it an even more tired body and a tired head that needed a holiday.

“When I was younger, I felt that I could get very caught up in everything that happens. Battles could affect me for a long time. Now that I’ve gotten a little older, I feel like I’m able to come home, do other things, and shut it out.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Odegaard seems to be refreshed now, scoring a couple of goals for Arsenal in the early weeks of the season and playing in a 6-0 win for Norway to kick off the September internationals.

The summer break was evidently what he needed to get back on track.