Ødegaard's goal, set up by a nice delayed pass to Ben White and a drift into space, was his first at the Emirates since last December. The Norwegian's goal was the obvious headline moment, Arsenal's third on 48 minutes, and it felt like a fun and slightly silly thing, the kind of goal Prince Edward might have scored in It's A Knockout in 1981. However, the move to get there was the real deal, showcasing Ødegaard's skills as a constant ferret, a press machine, master of space and of the nudged pass.
Ødegaard's goal was not the only highlight of the match, as he reawakened the link-up with Bukayo Saka. Just before half-time, they pinged the ball between each other six or seven times, eventually finding space for Declan Rice to shoot just wide. This was like old times, with Ødegaard and Saka showing a sense of play, invention, and pleasure in the connection.
Myles Lewis-Skelly also impressed in midfield, being excellent in his last game against the champions of Europe. He was tigerish and always involved, barely misplacing a pass, and his performance was equally important to Ødegaard's goal. The match was a good start to Arsenal's Premier League title defence, with the team winning comfortably and showcasing their skills.
The next step for Ødegaard and Arsenal will be to build on this performance and continue to show their skills in upcoming matches.