A big weekend of football saw Arsenal return to the top of the Premier League.

It represents yet another twist in the title race and with just seven games remaining, The Gunners know that seven wins would in all likelihood see them crowned Champions. 

Arsenal's 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday felt like a statement victory. It is a notoriously difficult place to go and it is no secret that Mikel Arteta has had his fair share of difficulties when facing The Seagulls. Arsenal, though, passed the latest test of their title credentials with flying colours. 

It was a performance of industry, efficiency and energy, epitomised by the display of their captain, Martin Odegaard. The importance of their number eight cannot be understated. The Norwegian's work rate is infectious to his teammates.

Time after time we see him ushering players forward in order to initiate a high press, leading from the front and by example. He is an understated captain who leads through performance, as opposed to shouting and bellowing at his teammates. 

His display on Saturday didn't yield either a goal or an assist, but he was pivotal to everything good about Arsenal. Football supporters have become obsessed with numbers, and often if a player doesn't register either of the above, they are considered to be ineffective. While these are important elements, they don't paint the entire picture of a game. 

A quick look at the statistics show that he was more effective in both these areas last season, contributing 15 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. Compared to the seven goals and six assists in this campaign, it would be easy to assume that his levels have dipped. However, the opposite is the case.

Odegaard has raised his performances to a standard that his career has not previously seen. He is arguably the first name on the team sheet due to the consistency of his displays. 

He has an ability to maintain possession in even the tightest of spaces.  It allows pressure to be maintained and attacks recycled. He waits for the opportune moment before attempting a killer pass and is often a master of the pre-assist, as demonstrated for the crucial second goal. It was his defence-splitting pass that sent Jorginho clear down the right before he found a cross for Kai Havertz.  

There is a reason that when Arteta senses an opportunity to rest players that he rarely pulls Odegaard.

He is the man who sets the tone. He is the player who makes Arsenal tick. He is Arteta's link between the touchline and the field of play. 

Odegaard embodies everything that is good about Arsenal.

His passion and drive mirrors that of the supporters and he clearly loves the club as much as we do. 

At the final whistle on Saturday, Odegaard approached the fans and gently shook his fists in celebration. If we win the league, you can bet those celebrations will be nowhere near as measured. 

Seven games and counting.