Martin Ødegaard enters the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season as one of Arsenal's most intriguing midfield options. Priced at just £6.5m, the Norwegian looks tempting on paper, especially as an attacking Arsenal player who is expected to start regularly. However, his price also raises a major question: has Ødegaard become a genuine FPL bargain, or is his declining output a warning sign?
Ødegaard's FPL Numbers Have Been Declining
Despite Arsenal enjoying a league-winning campaign last season, Ødegaard endured a surprisingly poor individual season in the Premier League. The Arsenal captain finished 2025/26 with just one goal and six assists, a significant drop from the numbers he produced during his best years at the club.
His decline becomes even clearer when looking at his statistics over the past three seasons:
- 2025/26: 1 goal, 6 assists
- 2024/25: 3 goals, 8 assists
- 2023/24: 8 goals, 10 assists
The trend is difficult to ignore. Ødegaard has gone from being one of Arsenal's most influential attacking players to someone whose FPL returns are becoming increasingly difficult to justify at a premium midfield price.
And that makes his £6.5m valuation particularly interesting.
Where Has the Old Ødegaard Gone?
The 2023/24 version of Ødegaard feels like a player from another era.
That season, the Norwegian was arguably one of the most complete attacking midfielders in the Premier League. He scored eight goals, provided 10 assists and consistently looked capable of deciding games through his passing, movement and creativity.
Those who watched Ødegaard at his best would probably have expected him to be in the conversation for at least the top three midfielders in the world by now.
Instead, his influence has gradually diminished.
Arsenal's evolution under Mikel Arteta may have played a role. The team has changed its style, becoming more structured and increasingly reliant on different attacking outlets. Ødegaard's role and freedom have consequently appeared different from the one he enjoyed during his 2023/24 peak.
But that cannot be used as an excuse indefinitely.
A player of Ødegaard's calibre should still be capable of producing consistently, regardless of tactical changes around him. His recent statistics suggest that something has been missing.
The World Cup Offers FPL Managers Some Hope
There is, however, one major reason not to completely write Ødegaard off.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Norway, we finally saw glimpses of the old Ødegaard again. He looked much closer to the creative mastermind Arsenal supporters had become accustomed to, producing chances and controlling games from midfield.
The Norwegian finished the tournament with four assists in five games, providing a timely reminder of the world-class potential that still exists within him.
That performance could be particularly significant for FPL managers.
If the World Cup's Ødegaard can carry that confidence and creativity back into the Premier League, his £6.5m price tag could suddenly look extremely cheap.
Is £6.5m Ødegaard worth the risk?
This is where the conundrum becomes particularly interesting.
At £6.5m, Ødegaard is undoubtedly affordable for an Arsenal midfielder who should be a regular starter. Arsenal's attacking potential also means there is always a possibility of consistent returns if he rediscovers his best form.
If we get the Ødegaard of 2023/24 or the 2026 World Cup, he could end up being an absolute bargain at £6.5m.
The problem is that expecting that version of Ødegaard to suddenly return is a humongous ask.
His Premier League numbers have declined for two consecutive seasons, and there is currently little evidence to suggest that his previous level is guaranteed to return.
FPL Verdict: Ignore Ødegaard for Now
£6.5m Martin Ødegaard is tempting, but we would avoid him at the start of the 2026/27 FPL season.
The price is cheap for an attacking Arsenal player who should start regularly, but his recent decline makes him too risky to select based purely on reputation.
The good news is that we know the world-class Ødegaard is still capable of producing spectacular performances. His World Cup showing proved that.
For now, though, ignore Ødegaard unless a phase arrives during the season where he starts consistently performing like the old Ødegaard again.
If that happens, his £6.5m price could quickly become one of the biggest bargains in FPL.
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