A bizarre social media debate has erupted among Arsenal fans this week and it centers around club captain Martin Odegaard. One post questioned how the Norwegian must feel “watching two teenagers clearly better than him” train in his own position. It’s a claim that has sparked outrage and confusion in equal measure.
Odegaard, now 25, is not only Arsenal’s captain but also one of the most productive midfielders in Europe last season. Yet some corners of the fanbase appear keen to undermine his role in favor of youth prospects who have yet to make a Premier League start.
Odegaard’s elite rise ignored by online critics
The reply that followed, a sharp rebuke, laid out Odegaard’s trajectory in brutal detail. By 15, he had over 20 senior appearances and 12 goal contributions in professional football. By 16, he became the youngest player in Real Madrid history. At 17, he was a regular starter in the Dutch top flight. And by 19, he was a dominant figure in La Liga, producing 23 goal involvements while playing in Europe.
This isn’t a typical academy graduate, it’s one of Europe’s most decorated young midfielders of the last decade. Yet somehow, segments of the Arsenal fanbase seem desperate to discredit him in favor of untested teenagers based on training clips.
Odegaard had his full first team season at 15, playing over 20 games and getting 12 G/A in professional football. He is the youngest debutant in the history of Real Madrid at 16. By 17 he was a regular starter in the Dutch league and by 19, a star player of the league getting 23… https://t.co/aKswL1Nl44
— Bielsista (@pedroelchileno) July 24, 2025
Are Arsenal fans taking Odegaard for granted?
What’s most shocking is that these takes are coming from inside the fanbase. Odegaard is not just a star performer; he’s also the link between the veterans and Arsenal’s rising talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman. To dismiss him as an obstacle to youth development is not only unfair, it’s factually backwards.
Even his fiercest rivals don’t question his value. Odegaard has consistently led Arsenal in key metrics, goals from midfield, progressive passing, pressing efficiency. If anything, he’s one of the few players in Europe who blends technical brilliance with elite mentality. He’s the captain for a reason.
Author Opinion
Criticizing Odegaard while praising two teenagers who haven’t played a full top-flight match is more than controversial, it’s ignorant. Arsenal have one of the best attacking midfielders in world football wearing the armband. Instead of pushing baseless comparisons, fans should recognize what he brings to the dressing room and the pitch. The kids will learn from him, not replace him.
