On September 11 (CEST), Daily Mail Arsenal correspondent Isaan Khan published a special article, delving into Ødegaard's core role at Arsenal and the on-pitch chemistry catalyzed by his deep personal friendship with Havertz.

On-pitch compatibility, their roles as new fathers, and strong family bonds – these connections have made Havertz and Ødegaard inseparable partners at Arsenal.

Recently, the "Havertz-Ødegaard partnership" has become the absolute core of Arsenal. Their outstanding performances on the pitch have helped defending Premier League champions Arsenal achieve their best start to a season so far.

To date, Arsenal has scored a total of 10 goals across all competitions this season, with 7 directly created by this pair.

In Sunday's match against Chelsea, Havertz breezed past The Blues' entire defense but couldn't get past Ødegaard, who calmly stepped forward to score from Christos Tsolis's cross.

And in Wednesday's Champions League away fixture against Napoli, Arsenal dominated throughout but repeatedly missed chances (expected goals exceeded 4). It was Ødegaard who stepped up at the crucial moment to secure victory for the team.

When Tsolis's pass reached the edge of the box, the Norwegian star's eyes lit up, and he drove forward with his left foot like it was a magic wand.

After spotting the opening, the Gunners captain struck a quick shot, curving it at a difficult angle into the bottom left corner with his left foot. This was his 4th goal in his last 5 matches, and he is working hard to prove he deserves a place among the elite midfielders.

The recent surge in form for both Ødegaard and Havertz is inseparable from their brotherly friendship off the pitch.

In June 2023, Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £65 million, but his early period in North London was not smooth.

Arteta's positioning of the German star as a left-sided midfielder didn't seem to suit his characteristics, and Havertz struggled to adapt to this new role.

The lowest point came in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Manchester United: Havertz lost possession leading to Rashford's opening goal and was subsequently booed by the home fans at Emirates Stadium.

He also endured a nine-match goal drought, not breaking it until September 2023 against Bournemouth, when Ødegaard voluntarily gave him a penalty kick.

Havertz calmly converted, scoring his first goal since joining Arsenal. The captain did the same last December against Everton: at that time, Gyökeres was in a goal drought, and Ødegaard also gave the Swedish striker a penalty opportunity.

Ødegaard took the initiative to help Havertz integrate into the team. Havertz, at 6 feet 4 inches tall, may appear imposing but is quite shy, and support from his Norwegian teammate proved invaluable.

Their wives, Helen Spiring and Sophia Weber, are close friends, and the two couples have even holidayed together. Havertz even served as Ødegaard's best man at his wedding.

They both became fathers in the same year (at age 25), separated by only a few months: in August 2024, Ødegaard and Helen announced their pregnancy, and their son Mateo was born on December 1st of that year; Havertz and Sophia announced their pregnancy in November 2024, and Sophia gave birth to their child in March 2025.

Their close relationship is no secret at Arsenal. It also highlights the captain's qualities – he is the "glue" that binds the entire team together.

In January 2025, Havertz missed a penalty in the FA Cup against Manchester United, which led to the team's elimination. Sophia subsequently faced severe online harassment on social media, with some even threatening their unborn child. During that difficult period, Ødegaard remained in close contact with Havertz's family, helping them through it.

When Havertz first joined, Ødegaard was the first player to text him. He did the same for new players like Gyökeres and Merino: from recommending livable neighborhoods and worthy restaurants in North London, to always being available to help, he is consistently enthusiastic. He also proactively calls teammates who are struggling, caring for them and offering encouragement.

Last season, even when injured and unable to play, Ødegaard's behind-the-scenes role was highly recognized by Arteta and the coaching staff.

It is reported that he actively coordinated various matters on the training ground and on match days: gathering teammates' requests about details like training times and rest arrangements, and then accurately relaying them to the coaching staff.

Another similarity between them is that they both suffered injuries last season, and now are determined to make up for lost time.

Havertz suffered a knee injury in the season's opening match in August, was absent for 5 months, and also suffered several muscle injuries at the end of the season.

Captain Ødegaard suffered a shoulder injury in September 2024, experienced knee issues in October, and continued to be hampered by injuries from March onwards.

Injuries truly disrupted their rhythm last season. Taking Ødegaard as an example, he scored only 1 goal across all competitions last season, and his performance dropped significantly, which makes his breakthrough this season even more impressive.

Now, both have become key players under Arteta. As they recover physically, regain their form, and build confidence, their on-pitch compatibility is likely to be the key to Arsenal's pursuit of more trophies.

From planning holidays together to enduring difficulties as one, their friendship has long transcended football itself. Now, Havertz and Ødegaard are determined to move forward hand in hand and make up for all the lost time.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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