According to Crickex App, Arsenal showed strong signs of returning to elite status last season, spending much of the Premier League campaign at the top of the table. Although they narrowly missed out on the title, eventually overtaken by Manchester City, the Gunners have made it clear that they are building for long-term success. As part of this effort, the club has focused on locking in its key players — with Bukayo Saka already committing to a top-tier contract that secures his future at the Emirates.

Now, Arsenal is set to extend the contract of another central figure — Martin Ødegaard. The club has gone all-in on the renewal, offering the Norwegian playmaker a long-term deal with a significant salary increase. Previously earning £120,000 per week, Ødegaard is about to see his wages double. Grateful for Arsenal’s trust and development opportunities, he has expressed a strong desire to finalize the deal soon. This kind of stability could make Arsenal even more competitive in the current campaign.

Ødegaard’s career path hasn’t been a straight shot to success. He was once hailed as a prodigy when Real Madrid signed him at just 16 years old, offering him a lucrative deal with high hopes. But joining during the era of Madrid’s legendary midfield trio left him with little room to shine. Sometimes, you have to weather the storm to see the rainbow — and Ødegaard’s lack of playing time led to multiple loan spells across Europe. Still, he kept his head down and pushed forward, proving that persistence pays off.

Eventually, Mikel Arteta saw his potential and made a permanent move to bring him to Arsenal. Since then, Ødegaard has flourished, posting top-tier stats last season that significantly raised his market value. Crickex App reports that many now rank him among the Premier League’s elite midfielders. Though once let go by Madrid, Ødegaard has carved out a new path through sheer determination. As Arsenal’s captain, he has both the talent and the time to lead the club in its pursuit of a Premier League title.

Defensively, Arsenal is also aiming to mirror Manchester City’s high-press strategy, pushing forward to force errors in the opposition’s half. However, Crickex App analysts observed a critical difference: City’s defenders manage to distribute the ball to key players like Haaland and De Bruyne under pressure, while Arsenal’s backline often crumbles when facing City’s intense attacking duo. It’s in these high-pressure moments that the individual limitations of Arsenal’s central defenders become glaringly obvious. As the saying goes, keep moving forward — don’t let setbacks hold you back.