# Odegaard Hailed as ‘Artist’ for Arsenal After Champions League Showing Against Napoli

> By  · Published 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10
> https://lesportifplus.com/en/2026/09/10/odegaard-hailed-as-artist-for-arsenal-after-champions-league-showing-against-napoli/

## Summary
Match of the Day pundits Nedum Onuoha and Rory Smith praised Martin Odegaard's performance for Arsenal in their Champions League match against Napoli, with Onuoha calling him 'an artist for this whole side.' The pundits highlighted his creative influence and expressed optimism about his form for the rest of the season.

## Key points
- Pundits Nedum Onuoha and Rory Smith analyzed Odegaard's display on Match of the Day
- Onuoha described Odegaard as 'an artist for this whole side'
- The discussion centered on Arsenal's Champions League match against Napoli and Odegaard's season prospects

Martin Odegaard drew high praise from Match of the Day pundits Nedum Onuoha and Rory Smith after his performance for Arsenal against Napoli in the Champions League, with Onuoha describing the Norwegian midfielder as an ‘artist for this whole side’. The pundits highlighted his creativity and influence on Arsenal’s play as key reasons for optimism about his form heading into the rest of the season.

## What did the pundits say about Odegaard’s role at Arsenal?

Onuoha and Smith focused on how Odegaard’s technical quality and vision set the tone for Arsenal’s attacking play in the fixture against Napoli. Both pundits framed him not just as a goal-contributor but as the creative architect behind the team’s build-up, comparing his influence to that of an artist shaping the side’s overall identity on the pitch.

> Odegaard is an artist for this whole side, said Onuoha.

## Why does this performance matter for Arsenal’s season?

A strong Odegaard showing in a high-profile Champions League match against Napoli reinforces his importance to Arsenal’s ambitions across multiple competitions this season. Pundits suggested that if the midfielder continues producing performances of this calibre, it bodes well for Arsenal’s prospects domestically and in Europe, given his central role in dictating tempo and creating chances.

## What are the prospects for Odegaard going forward?

Smith and Onuoha both expressed confidence that Odegaard can sustain this level of influence throughout the campaign, citing his consistency and the trust the team places in his decision-making. Their discussion pointed to Odegaard remaining a focal point of Arsenal’s strategy in upcoming fixtures, both in the Premier League and the Champions League.

## Source

- [BBC Sport Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c3eqzqkp3k1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — BBC Sport Football

## Sources
- [BBC Sport Football](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c3eqzqkp3k1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)