Odegaard feeling back to his best after 'tough' 2025-26 season

Martin Odegaard believes he is operating at 100% after starting the new season with two goals in as many games, following what he admits was a "tough" individual campaign in 2025-26.

After scoring Arsenal's third goal in a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday, Odegaard did likewise against Coventry City on Friday, as the Gunners started their Premier League title defence with another convincing victory. 

It is the first time Odegaard has scored in back-to-back games for Arsenal since December 2023, though he was arguably fortunate to see his scuffed finish wrong-foot Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka had scored inside the first 23 minutes to put Arsenal in a commanding position, and they were deserved victors as Coventry only had one shot on target and registered 0.28 expected goals (xG), compared to the champions' 1.8.

Odegaard, who impressed at the World Cup as Norway reached the quarter-finals, already has more goals in all competitions in 2026-27 (two) than he managed in 2025-26 (one).

He was restricted to 36 appearances in all competitions last season, 23 of which were starts, and his 1,983 minutes played were only the 16th-most in the Gunners' squad.

And despite Arsenal winning the Premier League title and finishing as Champions League runners-up, Odegaard admits it was difficult for him to fully enjoy last campaign. 

"Last season was a big struggle for me. I had too many injuries and weird situations and bad luck. I could never find a rhythm," Odegaard told Sky Sports.

"It's hard when you are in and out and not 100% fit. It was hard, but I feel good now. My body is good after a good World Cup and pre-season. I'm feeling 100%."

Friday's victory was Arsenal's joint-biggest when playing their first game of a Premier League season at home, having also beaten Man City 3-0 at the start of 1994-95.

"The first game is always a bit nervy," Odegaard added. "They played well, they gave us a good fight and a good battle. 

"It was key to get the first goal and we controlled the game. It was solid.

"We looked good. We could have created and scored more. We can be more precise and sharper around the box. It's a good performance, but we can do even better.

"The quality in the squad is unbelievable. You can put anyone on the pitch and they can perform at the highest level. We push one another to get better."

Reigning champions are now unbeaten in their last 33 combined Premier League matches against promoted teams (W26 D7), since Fulham beat Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool 1-0 in March 2021.

Arsenal's second Premier League game of the season is away to Aston Villa on August 31, having announced the signing of centre-back Ezri Konsa from the Villans earlier on Friday.