When a player of Wayne Rooney's caliber speaks, the football world listens. And after Arsenal's gritty 1-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday, the former Manchester United legend had no doubts about who stole the show.

Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal captain, came off the bench in the 67th minute at London Stadium and immediately changed the game's complexion. His composed assist set up Leandro Trossard for the winning goal, but it was his overall impact that left Rooney impressed.

"The big difference and why they won the game was Ødegaard," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. "He hasn't been in his best form this season, but he came on and showed two or three bits of real quality in terms of his passing, his decision-making, when to hold the ball and when to play the ball. Then obviously, his composure in the penalty box for Trossard's goal—that's the difference."

Rooney's praise carries extra weight given his own legendary career. For Arsenal fans, seeing their captain deliver when it matters most is a reassuring sign. Ødegaard has faced scrutiny this season for inconsistent performances, but his professionalism and quality shone through when the Gunners needed a spark.

"He's captain of Arsenal and probably not happy with the season for him personally," Rooney added. "To be captain and left out of the team is not a great thing, but he's shown his professionalism and then real quality when Arsenal needed it."

This kind of clutch performance is why Ødegaard remains the heartbeat of this Arsenal side. For fans looking to rep their captain's style, a touch of Norwegian flair in your matchday gear never hurts—because when the game is on the line, class always tells.