Premier League 2026 Contenders? Can Ødegaard Anchor Arsenal’s Title Push?

As Arsenal prepare for the 2025/26 Premier League season, the conversation isn’t just about whether they can compete, it’s about whether they can finally win it. For a team that has come close in recent years, the expectations are louder, the scrutiny sharper. 

At the heart of that scrutiny stands Martin Ødegaard. The captain has become more than just a creative midfielder; he is the face of Mikel Arteta’s project. With a refreshed squad, tougher fixtures, and a league that never pauses, the question this time is sharper than ever: can Ødegaard guide Arsenal to the title?

Arsenal’s Performance in the 2024/25 Season

Arsenal ended the 2024/25 season in second place with 74 points, finishing behind Liverpool, who led with 84. The team recorded 20 wins, 14 draws, and 4 losses, with a goal difference of +35. It was a solid season that highlighted their consistency, though they fell short in key moments.

Standout performances included a convincing 3-1 win over Manchester United and a 2-0 victory against Chelsea. At the same time, dropped points against sides like Fulham and Crystal Palace showed the margins for error remain slim. Their defense was one of the strongest in the league, conceding just 34 goals.

Ødegaard’s influence was most evident in matches where Arsenal dominated possession. His ability to find space, link play, and make decisive passes often unlocked opposition defenses. His form in the latter stages of the season helped Arsenal stay within touching distance of the top spot.

Expectations for the 2025/26 Season

With the new campaign on the horizon, expectations around Arsenal are high. The club has moved actively in the market, signing players like Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Nørgaard to address depth issues. These signings point to a focus on reliability and experience rather than radical overhaul.

Supporters are expecting Arsenal to challenge from day one. Early fixtures against Manchester United and Liverpool will offer a quick test of their readiness. Fans will be following closely through every available channel, TV broadcasts, tactical breakdowns, and social media commentary as the team embarks on what many believe could be a breakthrough year.

Many will also be tracking the EPL odds available through various betting platforms, which are often seen as a barometer of a team’s momentum or decline. These platforms not only provide live odds on match results and title chances but also allow for live wagers as the action unfolds. It’s another way in which fans will stay connected to Arsenal’s title push this season.

Ødegaard’s Journey: From Loan Star to Leader

To understand Martin Ødegaard’s importance in the 2025/26 campaign, one must look back at his journey with the club. When he first arrived on loan in January 2021, he was a beacon of technical quality in a team that was often disjointed and searching for an identity. 

His immediate impact, his composure in tight spaces, his vision, and his tireless work rate offered a glimpse of the standard Mikel Arteta was trying to build. Making his signing permanent was a cornerstone of the rebuild. Since then, his evolution has mirrored that of the team. 

The decision to hand him the captain’s armband ahead of the 2022/23 season was a testament not just to his on-field ability, but to his maturity and tactical intelligence. His leadership is less vocal and more instructional; he leads by example, dictating the tempo, directing the press, and consistently making himself available as an outlet.

His contributions have been quantifiable. The 2022/23 season was a personal best, where he scored 15 Premier League goals, adding a crucial goalscoring threat from midfield. While his numbers were more balanced in the subsequent seasons, his influence never waned. He became the team’s metronome, the player who ensures Arsenal’s structure holds firm. 

Ødegaard, Rice and the Midfield Triangle

Martin Ødegaard, at 26, remains central to Arsenal’s structure. He made 30 appearances last season, finishing with 3 goals and 8 assists. With a passing accuracy of just under 84% and over 1,200 dribbles recorded, Ødegaard continued to show why he’s trusted as the primary playmaker in Mikel Arteta’s setup. 

Most of Arsenal’s forward play still flows through his feet, especially in matches where space is limited and control is essential. His partnership with Declan Rice has grown into one of the league’s most consistent. Rice offers balance, his ball-winning and positioning create a platform for Ødegaard to operate higher up. 

The pair complement each other well: one disrupts and recycles, the other builds and directs. It’s a rhythm that has helped Arsenal stay competitive in big matches and recover shape quickly when possession is lost.

With the arrival of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, that midfield now has another layer. He brings composure and clarity on the ball, capable of taking pressure off both Ødegaard and Rice. That trio, if used consistently, could give Arsenal one of the most adaptable and technically stable midfield units in the Premier League heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

The Verdict: Is This Arsenal’s Moment?

So, are Arsenal genuine contenders for the 2026 Premier League title? The evidence overwhelmingly suggests yes. The progression under Mikel Arteta has been methodical, transforming the club from a promising project into a consistent force. 

The narrow misses of previous seasons, while painful, have forged a resilient and tactically sophisticated unit. With strategic signings that address depth and add new dimensions to the midfield and attack, Arsenal have assembled a squad capable of withstanding the rigors of a nine-month campaign. The era of “potential” is over, this is a team built for the present.

The more nuanced question is whether Martin Ødegaard can anchor that push. The answer is also yes, but with a critical distinction: he no longer has to do it alone. The evolution of this Arsenal side means his role as captain is less about solitary brilliance and more about being the central cog in a finely tuned machine. 

Declan Rice provides the security, Martin Zubimendi offers control, and the potential arrival of a direct threat like Eberechi Eze would diversify the attack. This support structure is designed to alleviate the creative burden from Ødegaard’s shoulders, allowing him to conduct play without being the sole solution.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s title hopes will not be determined by their quality, which is now beyond doubt, but by their mentality in decisive moments. The dropped points against supposedly weaker opposition and the occasional falter under pressure have been their Achilles’ heel. The final hurdle for Ødegaard and his team is to convert near-perfect performances into flawless results. The foundation is set, the personnel are in place. The challenge now is to turn sustained excellence into silverware.