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Martin Odegaard has faced his share of criticism over the past few seasons, but the Arsenal captain is now a Premier League title winner, and his compatriot John Arne Riise has expressed that he is “shocked and surprised” anyone could doubt such an “amazing” footballer. The Norwegian playmaker continues to be a vital part of Mikel Arteta’s well-drilled setup at the Emirates Stadium.

Odegaard joined Arsenal in January 2021 after struggling to break into the first team at La Liga giants Real Madrid. The move to the Premier League was seen as a fresh start, and the midfielder quickly found his rhythm in north London.

At the time of his arrival, expectations were mixed. Despite his global fame as a teenage prodigy at 15, many wondered if he could deliver on that early promise. However, his technical excellence and ability to control play in midfield soon became evident.

Arsenal were convinced after just a few months and made the transfer permanent. Since then, Odegaard has become a mainstay, making over 230 appearances and earning the captain’s armband in the process.

Although his goal output has dipped recently—with only one goal this season after hitting double figures in his first two full campaigns—injuries have played a role. These setbacks have led to some questioning his impact, but those doubts have not been shared by everyone.

Former Premier League and Norway star John Arne Riise has openly defended the Arsenal skipper. Speaking with Bally Bet, Riise told GOAL, “I'm shocked and surprised that he gets so much criticism from his own fans. When you see him play, yes, he’s had some injuries, but everything Arsenal do goes through him. When he came on against West Ham, he completely changed the game—with his energy, leadership, movement, passing, and vision.”

Riise continued, “I can’t believe the criticism he gets from Arsenal fans. I see fans on TikTok just tearing him apart. It’s unbelievable. Despite his injuries, he always comes back looking sharp and motivated. He wants to win for the club. You can see what it means to him when Arsenal win against West Ham or reach the Champions League final. The players know how important he is.”

He added, “Fans don’t see what he does off the pitch. When he plays, he tries to control the game completely. Sure, sometimes it doesn’t work out, but he’s still crucial. He’ll be a key figure for Arsenal in the Champions League final and for Norway at the World Cup. He’s an incredible player—always returning from injuries looking fit and confident. He’s truly amazing.”

Odegaard’s statistics this season may not stand out in 2025–26, but others have stepped up. Leandro Trossard, for instance, has been a major contributor. According to a Bally Bet analysis that compared market value with performance, each of Trossard’s 12 goal contributions is worth about £1,450,000, placing him sixth in the Premier League’s ‘value for money’ table.

Arsenal will hope to see their captain climb back up those rankings soon as he prepares to lift the club’s first top-flight title in 22 years. Reflecting on Odegaard’s journey, Riise praised his perseverance through difficult times, especially at Real Madrid. “I don’t criticise his early choices—he did what felt right then. But his loan moves were smart. Playing time helped him grow. He was outstanding at Real Sociedad and then made the perfect move to Arsenal. He’s been excellent for them.”

Riise also addressed fan expectations, saying, “The only reason people criticise him is because he’s the one expected to dominate. If he doesn’t, people say he’s poor. But this is the Premier League—you can’t expect him to control every match. Sometimes he’s tightly marked, which creates space for his teammates. You have to look beyond the surface.”

He went on, “Odegaard used to be labelled as ‘boring’ for playing too many backward or sideways passes. Now he’s more adventurous—driving at defenders, linking up play, using one-twos and backheels, scoring and creating goals. He’s become a key figure for Arsenal.”

Odegaard will finally lift the Premier League trophy after Arsenal’s final league match of the season away to Crystal Palace on Sunday. He becomes the first Arsenal captain to hoist that silverware since Patrick Vieira in 2004, during the club’s famous ‘Invincibles’ era.

The Gunners will then turn their attention to the Champions League final on May 30, where they face reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a chance for Arsenal to make history and claim Europe’s most prestigious prize for the first time.