Norwegian Captain Dazzles with Hat-Trick of Assails, Gunners’ Youngsters Also Impress on International Duty
Martin Ødegaard has been showered with praise as “one of the world’s best footballers” after orchestrating Norway’s 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over Israel with a mesmerizing trio of assists. The Arsenal captain, at the heart of everything creative for his national team, set up goals for David Møller Wolfe, Alexander Sørloth, and Erling Haaland—further cementing his status as a midfield magician.
The 26-year-old’s flawless performance comes at the perfect time for Arsenal, who face his former club Real Madrid in a season-defining Champions League quarter-final next month. With the Gunners still chasing their first-ever European crown, Ødegaard’s form could be the key to unlocking Madrid’s defense.
“He is fantastic,” said teammate Sørloth, who benefited from Ødegaard’s vision. “Three assists speak for themselves—playing alongside him is a joy.” Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup went even further, declaring: “He’s one of the world’s best. The way he moves and plays, you just have to sit back and enjoy it.”
Norway’s unbeaten start to qualifying—including a 5-0 demolition of Moldova—has fans dreaming of a long-awaited World Cup return. But for Arsenal supporters, the bigger excitement lies in Ødegaard’s readiness for the Madrid showdown.
Gunners’ Youth Also Shine Bright
While Ødegaard stole the headlines, Arsenal’s rising stars also made waves during the international break:
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (17) became England’s youngest debutant goalscorer in a 2-0 win over Albania.
- Ethan Nwaneri (17) netted for England’s U21s in a thrilling 4-2 victory over Portugal.
- Mikel Merino, filling in as an emergency striker for Arsenal, scored in Spain’s penalty shootout win over the Netherlands.
Defensive stalwarts William Saliba (France) and Gabriel (Brazil) also featured prominently, though the latter missed his side’s heavy 4-1 loss to Argentina due to suspension.
With key players returning in form and youngsters stepping up, Arsenal’s squad depth looks stronger than ever—just in time for their biggest test yet against Real Madrid. If Ødegaard brings his Norwegian brilliance to the Bernabéu, the Gunners might just have a shot at history.
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