Arsenal star wins 4th Player of the Match award in 5 games

Martin Odegaard’s fantastic display in Wednesday’s win away to Napoli earned him his fourth Player of the Match award in five appearances this season.

Martin Odegaard of Arsenal FC scores his team's advantage goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) — Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Arsenal put in a strong team performance away in Naples on Wednesday night, but Martin Odegaard’s individual display was something very special.

The Gunners captain created six chances for his teammates, played 16 progressive passes, and when no one seemed able to finish the opportunities he was making for them, he fired home a finish from outside the penalty area for the winning goal.

Sofascore highlight that Wednesday was only the eighth time on record that a player had played more than 70 accurate passes in the final third in a single Champions League match.

The other players to do so were Xavi (Barcelona, on five occasions), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona again), and Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich). Quite some company to keep.

Martin Odegaard of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring his team's advantage goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) — Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Arsenal’s primary creator, most dangerous passer, and goalscoring matchwinner ended up earning the Player of the Match award for his performance.

It’s far from the first time that’s been the case this season, with Odegaard also earning the Player of the Match award in the Community Shield against Manchester City, in the Premier League against Coventry City, and then again against Chelsea on Sunday.

Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa was the only time this season that Odegaard hasn’t received the Player of the Match accolade.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

With four goals and four Player of the Match awards in five games, Odegaard has perhaps never been in better form for Arsenal. If he can keep it up, the Gunners will have a great chance to win more trophies this season.

CARDIFF, WALES - AUGUST 16: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal scores his team's third goal during the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium on August 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) — Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

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