Martin Ødegaard scored the winning goal for Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, a timely boost for the Norway captain ahead of the national team's next fixture. The midfielder struck in the 72nd minute to secure a 1-0 victory for the league leaders over Hull at the Emirates Stadium. This follows Norway's most recent 2-1 defeat to Portugal in their last international match on 4 October.

  • Captain Martin Ødegaard appeared when it mattered most and ensured league leaders Arsenal beat Hull 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, said NTB.

The win kept Arsenal top of the table with 27 points from 10 matches, six points clear of Manchester City in second. For Ødegaard, the positive club form comes at a time when the Norwegian national team needs a spark. Norway have lost their last three matches, including a 2-1 defeat to Wales in October. The team's recent form across the last four matches shows a difficult spell with just one win and three defeats.

The results from the last four matches show a pattern Norway must reverse. After a 3-2 win over Denmark on 24 September, three consecutive defeats followed. They lost 1-2 to Portugal at home on 27 September, before facing Wales away on 1 October and losing 2-1. Their most recent match was a 2-1 defeat away to Portugal on 4 October. In that game, Ødegaard provided the assist for Kristoffer Ajer's equalising goal in the 36th minute, but Portugal responded immediately and secured the win late on.

With just one win from the last four, the pressure is on to get a result in the upcoming key home fixture. Norway host Wales on 14 November in a key World Cup qualifier. This presents an immediate chance for revenge following the 1 October defeat, in which Oscar Bobb put Norway ahead from a Martin Ødegaard assist before Wales turned the game around.

After contributing with both goals and assists in recent weeks, all eyes will be on the national team captain as the squad gathers. Norway have not won since September, and the team's top scorer Erling Haaland has seven goals in five appearances this season. To turn the trend around, the manager will need Ødegaard's creativity and leadership from the first minute against Wales. The match will be played at Ullevaal Stadium on 14 November.

The original report is at Radio Haugaland