In a display of continued success, Arsenal secured their fifth consecutive league victory with a commanding 5-0 win at Turf Moor, riding the momentum of their recent achievements.
Martin Odegaard swiftly left his mark on the game, breaking the deadlock a mere four minutes into play and later orchestrating Bukayo Saka’s second goal with a precise assist.
The Norwegian midfielder showcased his ball mastery throughout the match, tallying an impressive 88 touches and completing 61 passes.
His creative prowess was evident as he crafted three scoring opportunities while excelling in aerial duels and take-ons, maintaining a flawless 100% success rate.
Following Arsenal’s dominant win, club legend Didier Drogba expressed his joy for Odegaard, praising the midfielder’s exceptional form and pivotal role as the club captain.
In an interview with Arsenal.com, Drogba noted, “I think confidence-wise he’s in a really good moment, and physically as well with the way he applies himself; defending, attacking, the connection, the movement that he gave us on the right-hand side, it’s really good. He’s hitting form.”
Odegaard’s celebratory gesture, covering his ears after scoring, attracted attention amid recent scrutiny over Arsenal’s jubilant reactions.
However, when asked about the gesture, manager Mikel Arteta remained unaware, stating, “I don’t know, I didn’t notice that he made that gesture.”
Arteta continued to commend Odegaard’s performance, emphasizing the midfielder’s exceptional contribution and urging him to stay true to himself.
Arsenal’s historic run of five consecutive league victories since the beginning of the year signifies a significant milestone for the club.
Their offensive prowess has been remarkable, scoring an impressive 21 goals across these wins.
The impact of their training camp in Dubai is evident, especially considering their modest four-goal tally in the five games preceding the trip.
Looking ahead, Arteta is determined to maintain this momentum as Arsenal prepares to face Porto in the Champions League.
The upcoming round of 16 first-leg clash at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday promises excitement, although Porto has proven to be a challenging opponent for Arsenal in recent away encounters.
The Gunners have endured a winless streak of three matches against Porto, including one draw and two defeats.
Nonetheless, Arsenal remains optimistic about breaking this pattern and securing a valuable advantage heading into the second leg.
