Since returning to the Arsenal team in November, Martin Odegaard has started all but four of 29 matches. In one of those, he was ill. Out of choice, Mikel Arteta has selected the club captain from the off in almost every single other fixture.
Odegaard was used as a substitute in each the three games he started on the bench. Away at Brighton in early January he was needed to try and bring energy and creativity to a stumbling performance. On Wednesday night against PSV Eindhoven it was about keeping him sharp, presumably, because otherwise there was no other reason to risk him or ask him to feature with nothing to play for.
His first appearance back after a lengthy setback due to an ankle injury was brief and in vain at San Siro with Inter leading 1-0. Odegaard was on his way back to fitness at that stage. The PSV clash was different.
Odegaard got a much-needed 75 minutes with his feet up at the Emirates Stadium against PSV. It will have been time for contemplation as well as rest. Without the support of Bukayo Saka (missing for all but six of the past 18 weeks), Odegaard has been the sole creative hub for Arsenal but with ever-diminishing output.
In the absence of Saka, Arteta has had to rely even more on Odegaard than usual. 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has played a role way above his pay grade in a bid to ease the burden but it has been largely in vain when it comes to the Premier League.
Nwaneri has been impressive and continues to step up at each new level but he hasn't been able to maintain the club's title fight or deliver cup success. This is not the responsibility of someone so young.