– It was really fun playing today. We put up a good fight. Everyone was eager to start again, Martin Ødegaard told Viaplay.

The Norwegian star put in another impressive game for the red shirt, and had two assists.

– He is clearly the best on the court and is in complete control here, says Viaplay expert Pål-Andre Helland.

– I took off my imaginary hat. He has so much in the defensive game too. He led in all phases of the game, said Helland.

Praised by legend

Ødegaard looked to have really put his World Cup break to good use, and was just disastrous with the West Ham defender for most of the game.

Elegant dribbling and exquisite sole pulling sent the West Ham defender onto the grass, who struggled to contain the 24-year-old.

– He’s wreaking havoc out there now. Look at Martin Ødegaard, said Viaplay commentator Andreas Toft after the Norwegian beat West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell.

– Our captain is phenomenal. What made it difficult for West Ham was that Ødegaard was always moving forward with the ball. You will never have peace. Every time he gets the ball, he goes towards you. He was outstanding today, said John Arne Riise excitedly.

Arsenal legend Cesc Fàbregas also impressed.

– Ødegaard is really active today. I love the style. Do you think the players who didn’t play in the World Cup will stand out more than the players who played in the latter part of the season?, wrote Fabregas on Twitter.

Thank you mom

Ødegaard was asked by Viaplay about the point Fabregas made about players not playing in the World Cup.

– Hard to say. I have a little more rest than others. I’ve been training well and working well, but you never know. I always preferred to play matches, so I preferred to be in the WC, so to speak, said Ødegaard.

Another Norwegian superstar Erling Braut Haaland has long joked that his father’s lasagna is the reason for his success. Ødegaard was asked what his secret was.

– It’s mom’s Norwegian Christmas food. I should at least celebrate Christmas a little on Christmas Eve. It was a pretty normal day yesterday, but I had a bit of a celebration there (on Christmas Eve), Ødegaard told Viaplay with a big smile.

– See that touch there

There was drama after 27 minutes played when West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen chipped the ball into the Arsenal penalty area 16 meters. There, the winger was brought down by William Lilina, and referee Michael Oliver pointed to a penalty. Saïd Benrahma was safe and put the ball in the middle of the net.

In the final minutes of the first half, Oliver again pointed to the penalty mark, this time in favor of Arsenal. Martin Ødegaard’s shot looked like Aaron Cresswell was blocked with an hand. However, after a VAR check, the image showed Cresswell using his head, and the penalty was overturned.

In the second half, Arsenal came out and it was clear they were chasing an early equalizer. And after seven minutes it arrived. Martin Ødegaard once again tried his luck from distance. The shot wasn’t great, but Saka poked the ball past the outstretched West Ham keeper Fabianski.

Then the Arsenal train was in full swing, and after 58 minutes the game changed. Ødegaard discovered Granit Xhaka who was playing for Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian scored to make it 2-1 from his left foot.

Arsenal and Ødegaard continued and the Norwegian provided a superb assist when he played Nketiah through with one touch. The striker elegantly turned around the West Ham defense, before scoring 3-1.

– Check out that touch from Ødegaard, says Viaplay commentator Andreas Toft.

Arsenal now lead the Premier League by seven points ahead of Newcastle. Manchester City are eight points adrift with one game less played than Arsenal.