Martin Ødegaard has become a far more potent goal threat for Arsenal this season, making more advanced attacking runs alongside Kai Havertz and consistently arriving in the penalty area to convert chances, most recently in Sunday's win over Chelsea. The shift appears to be a deliberate change by manager Mikel Arteta, pushing his captain into attacking areas more often after Ødegaard's fitness and effectiveness were badly disrupted last season, and it marks a notable evolution for the Norwegian from a traditional No 10 into more of a goal-scoring No 8.

Ødegaard has scored three goals in four appearances this season, compared with just one in 36 outings last term, while his high-intensity runs into the opposition box have risen from 1.4 to 3.2 per 90 minutes in the Premier League. His off-ball runs to create himself as a crossing option have also increased more than fourfold, from 0.65 to 2.8 per 90. Last season the 27-year-old played only around 40% of available league minutes because of recurring knee injuries, but his renewed fitness and Arteta's preference for using Havertz as a false nine appear to be driving Ødegaard's more advanced, goal-focused role.