Martin Ødegaard is stepping up at the right time for Arsenal’s title race

The captain excelled against West Ham on Sunday, making 107 passes, creating seven chances and laying on two assists.

PERFECT TIMING: Arsenal's Martin Odegaard celebrates. Pic: Adam Davy, PA Wire.

The winter break came at the perfect time for Arsenal. After a run of one win in seven matches – including a three-game losing streak – at the turn of the year, Mikel Arteta had to regroup and get his team’s campaign back on track. 

Arsenal had dropped behind Liverpool in the title race and were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Jürgen Klopp’s team at the Emirates. A season that had promised so much was threatening to peter out.