Footballing chemistry, fatherhood and wives that are best friends. All these elements, and more, have made Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard inseparable at Arsenal.The Havertz and Odegaard show has taken centre stage at the club recently, their on-pitch performances powering the strongest of starts for the reigning Premier League champions.In all competitions this term, Arsenal have struck ten goals, with the pair responsible for seven of them.Havertz’s dummy fooled Chelsea’s backline on Sunday – but not Odegaard, who strolled through to collect Christos Tzolis’ cross and score.Most recently, Odegaard rescued a victory away at Napoli on Wednesday night in the Champions League after an impressive Gunners display wasn’t matched by their finishing (their expected goals – or xG – exceeded four).As Tzolis’ pass reached the Norwegian just outside the area, his eyes lit up, driving forward on that wand of a left foot.Once he saw a gap, the captain curled the ball with pace and precision into the bottom-left corner to make it four goals in five matches for a man on a mission to prove he is worthy of a place at the top table of elite midfielders. Martin Odegaard (left) and Kai Havertz have been two of the stars of Arsenal’s impressive start to the 2026-27 season The pair’s goalscoring form has been helped by a close bond off the pitch, which is the subject of a running joke at Arsenal’s HQ The reigning Premier League champions have scored ten goals in all competitions this term, and Havertz and Odegaard struck seven of themOdegaard and Havertz’s recent performances have been helped by their bond off the pitch, the pair behaving more like brothers than colleagues. After joining the Gunners from Chelsea for £65million in June 2023, Havertz initially endured a tough time in north London.The left-sided midfield position Arteta had earmarked for the German was proving a mismatch, Havertz struggling to adapt to the role.The nadir saw Havertz be the recipient of widespread groans at the Emirates during a 3-1 win over Manchester United in which he lost the ball in the build-up to Marcus Rashford’s opener.He wasn’t scoring, either, enduring a nine-game drought which ended against Bournemouth in September 2023, Odegaard having grabbed the ball to gift his team-mate the penalty.Havertz rolled it home for his first Arsenal goal. The captain performed a similar gesture for Viktor Gyokeres against Everton last December, allowing the Swede to take a penalty amid a tricky goalscoring period for the striker.Odegaard took it upon himself to help Havertz settle. A shy character, despite his imposing 6ft 4in frame, the German has benefitted from the support of his Norwegian team-mate.Their wives, Helene Spilling and Sophia Weber, are close. The couples have holidayed together. Havertz was a groomsman at Odegaard’s wedding.They also became fathers just months apart, at the same age of 25. Odegaard and Helene announced in August 2024 that they were expecting a baby. Their son, Matheo, was born on December 1, 2024.Havertz and Sophia made their announcement in November 2024, before Sophia gave birth in March 2025. Odegaard and Havertz holidayed together in Ibiza during the off-season of 2024 The pair with their wives Helene Spilling and Sophia Weber, who are also firm friendsIt’s a running joke around the club about how close the pair are. It reflects the qualities of a captain who is said to be the glue between his team.When Sophia was subjected to horrific abuse on Instagram after Havertz had his penalty saved in an FA Cup defeat by Manchester United in January 2025 – which included threats against their unborn child – Odegaard stayed in close contact with Havertz, supporting the family through it.Odegaard was the first player to text Havertz when he joined. He did the same for other players, too, like Gyokeres and Mikel Merino. From advice on the best areas to live and restaurant recommendations, to an open door whenever help is needed, he makes himself available.He is also known to ring players who are going through a tough period to check in on them and offer his support.Last season, even when he wasn’t playing due to injury, the role Odegaard played behind the scenes was highly valued by Arteta and his staff.He was said to be busy around the training ground and on matchdays, organising different elements. Team preferences on minor details like timings and rest were gathered by Odegaard and passed on to staff.Another similarity – both Havertz and Odegaard faced their fair share of adversity last season and are now hellbent on making up for lost time.Havertz suffered an knee injury on the opening day of the last campaign in August, which kept him out for five months, before sustaining a few muscle issues later in the season.His captain, meanwhile, suffered a shoulder injury in September 2025, a knee issue in October and from March onwards. Odegaard missed much of last season through injury, scoring just one goal in all competitions. This campaign he looks a man reborn As does Havertz, who was kept out by a knee injury for five months from the beginning of 2025-26 Now the pair are determined to make up for lost time – and inspire Arsenal to more silverwareThese issues derailed their campaigns. Odegaard, for example, scored just one goal in all competitions. That is how stark the drop-off was, and makes his recent form all the more impressive.Both players have become central figures in Arteta’s Arsenal, and with both fit, confident and producing again, their understanding could prove decisive in the club’s pursuit of more silverware.From holiday plans to difficult moments, the pair have built a relationship that stretches well beyond the pitch. Now, Havertz and Odegaard look determined to make up for lost time – together.