“He’s an unbelievable player,” Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka said of Odegaard. “The day he returned, there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have. I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.”

Star Gunners duo linked up brilliantly again during statement away win over Sporting CP in the Champions League

Your team has hit a creative rut that coincided with the absence of your primary playmaker? Get him back and all your problems evaporate. So yes, the semi-frequent leaden-footed attacking, sterile possession and clumsy decision-making that reared its unfamiliar head at Arsenal over the last two months was nothing more than a team unable to cope without Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal’s recent performance against Nottingham Forest highlighted the transformative impact of having both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka fit and firing. After a challenging period without their captain,

Odegaard and Saka combined beautifully for Arsenal’s opening goal, with the latter’s quick feet in the box facilitating a slick give-and-go. Saka did the rest, mazing his way across the box before lashing the ball into the top corner.

Stunning strikes from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey and a first Premier League goal for teenager Ethan Nwaneri gave Arsenal a first victory in five league games.

On his own, Martin Odegaard is an exceptionally good footballer. The same is patently true of Bukayo Saka. Both players are undoubtedly among the very best in the Premier League.