13 March 2024 , 07:18
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A social media post back in 2014 claimed that if Arsenal signed Martin Odegaard they'd make the last eight of the Champions League 10 years later - and so they have.
The Gunners overcame a first-leg deficit to see off Porto on a dramatic night at the Emirates. Odegaard provided a sensational assist for Leandro Trossard, who scored the only goal of the game. Eventually penalties were needed as the hosts triumphed over their Portuguese opponents.
A tweet was put out by an account called '101 Great Goals' back in 2014, as the Norwegian's stock was on the rise, and they said: "If Arsenal do sign Martin Odegaard, they're a shoo-in for the 2024 Champions League quarter finals." Arsenal have responded following their win with a mystic ball emoji.
Fans on social media have responded by calling the account a "time traveller" after his incredible foresight. One supporter said: “This aged well.” Another added: “It’s like he sees the future.”
When the tweet was sent Odegaard was just 15 and playing for Stromsgodset is his homeland. His performances had grabbed the attention of every major European side and, despite Arsenal being in the hunt, it was eventually Real Madrid who signed the teenager.
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Despite his best efforts Odegaard's career at the Bernabeu never took off and he faced several loan spells away. The last of those came at Arsenal, who then opted to sign him permanently in the summer of 2021. Since then the playmaker hasn't looked back and is now one of the Premier League's classiest players.
He's been crucial to the team's recent rise under Mikel Arteta and, after 14 years, Arsenal are back in the last eight of the Champions League - just as the tweet suggested all those years ago.
Odegaard provided a sensational assist and thought he'd scored the crucial second goal during normal time as he dinked the ball over the Porto goalkeeper. It was quickly ruled out though as Kai Havertz was deemed to have fouled Pepe in the lead up to the goal - which VAR then confirmed.
The Norwegian was first to step up in the penalty shootout as he was one of four Arsenal players to score. They didn't need to take all five after David Raya saved from two Porto players to sent the Emirates into raptures.
Arteta said after the win: "So happy. It has been 14 years, which is a long time for a club like Arsenal and it shows how difficult it was. We really had to dig in to find the magic moment at the end. We're starting to create an unbelievable energy in the stadium, we were all pushing to get it done and together we have done it."
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