Absence, as the well-worn adage goes, “makes the heart grow fonder.”

The Arsenal were exceedingly pleased to witness their commander in top form on Saturday, following a two-month period of stuttering form as Martin Odegaard recuperated from an ankle injury.

The Norwegian’s passing, dribbling, and pressuring are essential components of Mikel Arteta’s blueprint, which was made even more apparent when Arsenal only won three of seven Premier League matches during his absence. They have indeed missed him.

His work has been overshadowed by others in the past. During a difficult period of performance in October of the previous year, Arteta was even confronted with inquiries regarding his position within the team.

The manager at that time stated, “We must be aware of his form and positioning.” It involves optimizing our strategies to capitalize on his assets and placing him in more advantageous positions.

Odegaard’s significance to an Arsenal squad that boasts prominent players like William Saliba and Bukayo Saka is now beyond dispute.

Although Saka scored the first goal and assisted Thomas Partey in scoring his second, Odegaard’s performance as the man of the match earned him the accolades.

His subtle, off-the-ball run created the space for Partey’s long-range strike, and his cunning, intricate passes around the box tore Nottingham Forest apart.

A comparable message was communicated by Riccardo Calafiori, his teammate, following the match.

He stated, “You can sense it when he is absent.” He provides us with an abundance of vitality and quality. His presence on or off the field is palpable. His actions and those of Bukayo were extraordinary. It is a pleasure to have them return.

Odegaard must be instrumental in helping Arsenal realize their aspirations, despite the fact that there is still a considerable amount of time left in the current season.