Many things have changed since then. Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s inspirational captain, first played top-flight football at Bodo/Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadion, aged just 15.
Over the last couple of years, two new stands were built. The stadium improvements reflect the positive turn in fortunes that saw the Norwegian club win back-to-back Eliteserien title in 2020 and 2021.
One thing, however, hasn’t changed, with the pitch that sits just inside the Arctic circle still made of artificial turf — a necessity this far north thanks to the harsh winters.
This, according to Odegaard’s manager at Stromsgodset when the midfielder lit up the Aspmyra Stadion three months before his 16th birthday, could suit his former protege down to the ground with Arsenal today in the Europa League in the Norwegian Arena.
“The problem Bodo/Glimt will have is that Martin is the No 1 player in the world on artificial grass,” David Nielsen, a former forward with Norwich CityThe Athletic reveals that Wimbledon was in its early 2000s.
“Normally, when teams like Arsenal come, they find it hard because to them artificial grass is not real football. Some players are better than others. Martin is an expert on the surfaces. Martin has been playing on it for so many years that his passing is amazing.
“If you saw a pass but you could not see the player making the pass, you would still be able to tell when the ball was passed by Martin Odegaard. You can see the ball rolling and the downforce that he applies to the ball at touch by simply looking at it.
