Everyone associated with Arsenal Football Club will have grown tired of the debate regarding their Premier League title credentials. A ‘nearly men’ tag is, however, impossible to ignore and difficult to shake.
The Gunners have been ‘next best’ across three successive seasons, finishing as runners-up in the English top-flight behind Manchester City on a couple of occasions and Liverpool in 2024-25.
Tangible success is within touching distance, but Mikel Arteta continues to scratch around in the transfer market for that fabled ‘final piece of jigsaw’. Tracking that down is a process that remains easier said than done.
Dream big
A centenary of appearances as Arsenal captain.
Here’s to many more ❤️ pic.twitter.com/msgzDcHZBK
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 8, 2024
North London heavyweights are daring to dream big in the current campaign. A positive start has been made to domestic competition, without being spectacular, and Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest betting has them priced at 4/11 to pick up three points in their next home outing.
If momentum can be built, and then maintained, football odds should begin to shorten when it comes to the pursuit of a first Premier League crown since the fabled ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-24.
If Arsenal were to get across that line, then club captain Martin Odegaard would be the man to hoist an iconic piece of silverware aloft. He, as much as anyone, has a crucial role to play in pursuit of major honours.
After joining the Gunners from Real Madrid, the classy Norwegian set about unlocking his full potential and becoming a member of the global elite. An armband was passed in his direction after proving himself worthy of that responsibility.
The very best in the business are able to maintain those standards year after year – think evergreen superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Odegaard is still searching for that kind of consistency.
With just 11 goals and six assists being recorded last season, questions have been asked of whether Arsenal have the right on-field leader to guide them over a trophy-winning line. The man himself is aware of that discussion, but is doing his best to turn a deaf ear to it.
Odegaard has said of the criticism that he has attracted: “I’m very used to people speaking about me, judging my performances and I think I do that myself. I’m harder on myself and I know that I have not been good enough especially in front of goal so that’s normal.”
Fully confident
Martin Odegaard has won as many Premier League games as Arsenal captain as Patrick Vieira ©️ pic.twitter.com/1RgJveP1rx
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 6, 2025
In fairness to Odegaard, injury issues have done his cause few favours. Spells on the treatment table make it difficult for form to be found, with personal bests often produced when feeling fully confident in body and mind.
He remains a match winner on his day, with creative qualities in the middle of the park allowing the tightest of defensive locks to be picked. If he can carve open chances, then the likes of Viktor Gyokeres should be on hand to take them.
That could prove to be the most productive of partnerships – the kind that allows dreams of title glory to form. Maybe Arsenal do have all the pieces of an intricate puzzle to hand, they just need leaders on and off the field to nudge them into place.
