Whether on the right flank, in the box or at the Arsenal training base, Saka and Odegaard are not too far away.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has often emphasised the importance of relationships on and off the pitch, and the duo are exemplary in the team.
Since Odegaard officially joined in the summer of 2021, no pair has been able to maintain as much chemistry as they do. A high degree of trust and tacit understanding has been established between the two.
Captain Odegaard originally joined on loan in January 2020. At the time, England was still under lockdown, and 19-year-old Saka was one of those who helped Odegaard settle down in the city. More than three years later, they are once again leading Arsenal to the league title.
Their relationship revolves around penalty kicks.
Bukayo Saka and Odegaard have both taken penalties this season and have often conceded them in a good show of their trust and confidence in each other.
Saka has scored six of Arsenal's 10 penalties in the Premier League this season, with the last five on the net. But at the start of the season last August, it was unclear whether he would take the penalty. Arsenal's first five penalties in the league this season were scored by Bukayo Saka, Odegaard (two), Kai Havertz and Favi. The first penalty came in the second round of the league away at Crystal Palace, and Odegaard was confident that he had found his rhythm in the pre-season campaign and asked Saka if he could take the spot. The latter agreed.
In their next home game against Fulham, Arsenal were awarded penalties again. As others argued with the referee, Odegaard picked up the ball and Saka stood far away, away from the commotion. Some people believe that not showing up the penalty taker so early can effectively mislead the opponent. Bukayo Saka waited for the penalty when a thunderclap rang out in the sky, but he was unfazed and deceived Leno to send the ball into the back of the net to equalise for Arsenal.
Saka and Odegaard are humble and their relationship goes beyond team-mates. Odegaard scored another penalty against Bournemouth at the end of September, and then Arsenal were awarded another penalty and Bukayo Saka was ready to take the penalty before the captain ran up to him and whispered a few words. At the time, new summer signing Kai Havertz had not yet opened his game, and Odegaard wanted the team-mate to find a sense of goal.
As captain, Odegaard has felt a greater responsibility over the past two seasons and has to take into account the interests of the team when making decisions. Kai Havertz wasn't going to take off from the spot-kick, but the intention behind the move was clear and Saka had no objection to it.
Bukayo Saka and Odegaard sit next to each other in the dressing room and often leave the training pitch last with Jorginho, so there are plenty of opportunities to make it clear.
Of course, they are also close to each other on the pitch.
Now, Arsenal's No.7 and No.8 often come together and are difficult to defend. They are the most dangerous duo under Mikel Arteta.
They are ranked first and second respectively in the Arsenal team for the number of passes they pass and create chances for each other. Bukayo Saka made 235 passes for the captain and Odegaard 195 for Saka. Odegaard created 22 chances for Saka and Saka for 18, the most chances created by a duo in the Premier League this season.
Equally impressive, the chances created by Bukayo Saka and Odegaard were not all Arsenal's attacking formula on the right. They can also drop back to the tandem so that one of them can create opportunities for the rest of his team-mates, allowing right-back Ben White to step in or support midfield.
From a personal point of view, their roles are also similar.
In the Premier League, Odegaard is ranked No. 1 in Chances Created (81), Shots Created (205), Through Balls (39) and Passes into the Box (120), and No. 2 in Chances Created (94), Forward Passes (324) and Expected Assists (10.5). Bukayo Saka is 1st in expected assists (10.7), 3rd in open play (68), shot creation (183) and passes into the box (70), and 4th in chances created (88).
Arteta said:
"That's what the chemistry is all about. They already have a strong chemistry off the pitch and when you bring that to the pitch and give it a little bit more time to get to know each other better and better, plus training and good communication, these are all good factors that allow them to keep improving, keep getting to know each other better.
'It's the same with Ben White, the three of them have been playing on the right for a long time, so they're pretty solid.
'They [Odegaard and Saka] are always together and you can tell from the way they look at each other, the way they communicate, there's something special about them.
This "special thing" can be seen both on and off the field.
Recently, Odegaard playfully pushed him into the stands while celebrating with Saka, making him hug the love of the Arsenal fans and making the angry opposition fans even angrier. Off the pitch, when Saka needed a ride, Odegaard would pick him up and drop him off at the training base. The duo even made an appearance together at the Burberry Winter Show in February.
A less obvious benefit from the mid-season training in Dubai in January has also been evident in recent weeks.
The players' families were able to take part in the trip, the players were delighted and also got their respective partners in touch. Arteta said it would not only help build team spirit, but also give the players peace of mind that their friends and family would not be alone without them. Now, many of the players' partners, including those of Bukayo Saka and Odegaard, will meet together to watch home and away games.
2021 was a big year when Arteta started building this squad. That year, Arsenal brought in a group of young players in the hope that they could mature together. This is not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch.
Bukayo Saka and Odegaard are the brightest stars and they will continue to help Arsenal challenge for the title.