Mikel Arteta says Martin Odegaard's dramatically improved performances for Arsenal last season were the result of a 'brutal' work ethic and the ability to adapt and learn quickly.
The 24-year-old registered 15 goals and eight assists in 37 Premier League appearances as Arsenal fought tooth and nail with eventual champions Manchester City in a two-horse title race.
Few were expecting Arsenal to challenge for silverware prior to the 2022/23 season beginning, but it quickly became apparent that there had been a mentality shift at the Emirates Stadium under the captaincy of Odegaard, who succeeded Alexandre Lacazette in the role.
Odegaard raised his game significantly for Arsenal, with his performance level mirrored by Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and many others for large portions of the season.
Speaking in an interview with leading Spanish publication Marca, Arteta was asked how he'd helped Odegaard become a star turn in north London. And although the Spaniard admitted that handing him the captaincy had certainly helped, he was quick to point towards the Norwegian's own work ethic as a key driver in his success.
"I think it is his merit. His self-demand is brutal, he understands everything very well and learns quickly. We help him by giving him responsibility and confidence by making him a captain," Arteta said.
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"I explained it to him: 'With this will come more demands and your ability to transmit will be the key. Be you,' I told him. Martin is very reserved, but when he speaks, he is heard. He does everything required: he takes care of himself; he cares and improves others; he has education, love for the game, commitment... and it has been believed that he has to play closer to the area: touch it less and reach more.
"His numbers are very good: the interior with the most goals in the history of the Premier League along with Lampard. And he can still improve at 24 years old."
Odegaard's determination and desire to be the very best was perhaps highlighted by a recent interview with Viaplay, where he admitted that Arsenal's eventual title race defeat would 'bother him' for a long time but would be used as ammunition to do better.
"We competed against the team that has won it all, it was tight and even at the end, especially in the three games [that Arsenal drew], we lost momentum. There are so many things that can affect the season, we were close and we must use the disappointment to go closer," Odegaard reflected.
He added: "I think this will bother me for the rest of my life. We were very close, I almost managed to achieve my dream, I think it will be painful for the rest of my life but we have to try again next year, when we manage to do that [win the league] it will surely be easier. "
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This article was originally published on 90min as Mikel Arteta reveals role in Martin Odegaard's rapid Arsenal improvement.
