Odegaard has reached the top level and deserves a new contract.

In a lengthy article, journalist Henry Winter stated that Ødegaard has risen to the top level after overcoming his injury woes and deserves a new contract.

In the past, Odegaard was more of a flash in the pan; now, he is truly dominating the entire match. In the game against Chelsea, he won Man of the Match, once again demonstrating his renewed influence on the field.

The primary reason for all this is the absence of injuries. Last season, knee and shoulder injuries caused him to miss a total of 30 matches for Arsenal and the Norwegian national team. After overcoming these injuries, Ødegaard became more determined and learned how to truly control the pace of the game.

At 27, Martin Ødegaard has already developed into a top football player. In May of this year, he led Arsenal in their quest for the league title, and now he has firmly established himself as one of the world's best players.

Many fans will be reminded of Dennis Bergkamp in 1998. That year, in the FA Cup, Arsenal narrowly defeated Middlesbrough away from home. Bergkamp had already boarded the team bus when then-captain Tony Adams approached him and bluntly said, "You've been with the team for two and a half years. Shouldn't you be striving for some trophies? With your ability, it's a real shame to have achieved nothing." These words awakened the "Ice Prince." Bergkamp went on to help Arsenal win the double, earn the Player of the Season award, and lead the Dutch national team to the World Cup semi-finals.

Ødegaard's career has never seen such a moment of sudden enlightenment, a wake-up call from his teammates. All the changes stemmed from within himself. The recovery from injuries provided the foundation, but the most fundamental transformation came from the psychological level—he became tougher.

The current Odegaard is even more lethal a threat to opponents. In matches, after his teammates win the first ball, he always quickly contests for the second; he handles the ball more decisively, daring to push forward, no longer just safely passing the ball back and forth, but directly seeking out key attacking positions. His goal against Chelsea is the best proof of this: he initiated the attack, surged into the penalty area, and delivered the decisive blow.

So far this season, Ødegaard has scored against several top goalkeepers, including two-time Yashin Trophy winner Martinez and Donnarumma, as well as Coventry goalkeeper Rushworth.

This goal against Martinez perfectly showcased Arsenal's attacking synergy. New signing left winger Zolis is very familiar with Odegaard's runs, having already provided two assists for him; Havertz's excellent vision also creates opportunities for him. Furthermore, his partnership with Saka and Ben White on the right flank is already highly refined.

Ødegaard's influence extends to every corner of the pitch. When in possession, he no longer plays it safe, daring to take more risks. In the second half against Chelsea, Arsenal firmly controlled the game, with Ødegaard delivering a series of passes to Havertz, Saka, and Zubimendy.

With improved physical fitness, his pressing in the frontcourt has become more aggressive. His ability to withstand physical contact has also improved, and he has been able to hold his own against fouls from Reece James.

However, as Gary Neville commented on Sky Sports, Ødegaard still has room for improvement and needs to produce more goals and assists. In 179 Premier League appearances, he has 37 goals and 37 assists. Last season, he faced considerable criticism for this, as Arsenal relied heavily on Rice to carry the team during their title push in May. That season, Ødegaard provided 6 assists in 24 appearances but only scored 1 goal. He has had some standout seasons, scoring 15 goals and providing 7 assists in 37 appearances in the 2022-23 season, but that still didn't reach the level required to compete for the Player of the Year award. He will certainly use Bruno Fernandes as a benchmark to understand the heights he needs to reach.

The role of Arsenal captain has not only changed how the outside world perceives him but also reshaped his self-perception; now, no one doubts that he belongs to the ranks of top players. His time with the national team this summer has also been invaluable. In the knockout stages against Ivory Coast and Brazil, Ødegaard carried Norway forward, only to ultimately fall to England.

Of course, he still has flaws; for example, in the match where Rodgers scored, his pressing intensity against Hato was somewhat lacking. But undeniably, Odegaard's transformation is clearly visible.

With two years remaining on his current contract, the topic of contract renewal is bound to come up. Given his current competitive form, retaining this captain is definitely a worthwhile move.