02 March 2023 , 22:37
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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard forced the makers of next-generation training equipment to change their design due to his supernatural vision.
Odegaard has starred for the Gunners in their surprise title challenge, with Mikel Arteta's men now five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. The Norwegian was named skipper in the summer and has more than repaid Arteta's faith in him.
It appears he also leads from the front at training, driving high standards by leading by example. Odegaard has long been seen as a superstar of the future thanks to his massive talent, something he is clearly showing at the Gunners.
One element of that talent is the 24-year-old's astonishing ability to scan a pitch quickly. That vision is so good that the makers of the Be Your Best virtual reality software had to make an unplanned change to the equipment.
Odegaard was brought in to help test the headset, which trains players' vision using an immersive experience which simulates game situations. It logs the number of times a players tests their surroundings, when they check their surroundings, and the decisions made as a result.
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But Odegaard was left unhappy with the speed of the software and requested it be increased to 120 per cent. The company made the change, with chief executive Andreas Olsen admitting he was grateful for Odegaard's assistance.
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Odegaard has been key to Arsenal's title charge this season (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)"When he used it, one of the product development features added as a result was because he mentioned that he wanted to have a higher difficulty," Olsen told Sky Sports.
"He was very humble and respectful when doing the scenarios but instead of wanting it set at 100 per cent speed, he asked if he could do it at 120 per cent. Now we have a slider where you take the speed up or down based on the actual speed of the scenario."
Odegaard has enjoyed a stunning season for the Gunners, ranking in the Premier League's top 10 for goals and assists. He also ranks fourth for chances created, second for passes completed in the final third and top for possessions won in the final third.
It is little surprise then that Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand tipped the Gunners skipper to be crowned player of the season at the end of the campaign. The former defender believes that Odegaard should take that crown over Erling Haaland.
"Odegaard is nuts. Do you know what I like about Odegaard is his journey. He was a child superstar at 16, bought by Real Madrid, everyone was saying this kid's the next. He might not be the guy he is now without that part of his history," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five in December.
"I’d go as far as to say right now, he’s probably my player of the year. Haaland’s has done what he’s done, he has been great, don’t get me wrong. If Haaland eases up with the goals and Arsenal win the league and Odegaard continues, he’s my player of the year."