Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta drops ‘massive’ Odegaard claim amid ‘difficult’ spell

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up on why Martin Odegaard is struggling at the moment.

Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard has not been at his best in recent weeks. After struggling against Chelsea and Sevilla, the midfielder was left out of the starting XI for the Gunners’ clash with Sheffield United on Saturday. 

The north London club coped well without Odegaard at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal thrashed the Blades 5-0, with Eddie Nketiah grabbing the headlines with his first ever Premier League hat trick.

Kai Havertz, alongside Emile Smith Rowe, filled in for Odegaard, and did a decent job of helping Mikel Arteta’s side maintain control of the match.

The truth, though, is that Odegaard is still certainly one of the best players at the club. It is vital that the £30 million former Real Madrid man is able to rediscover his best form before too long. 

Arteta will be anxious for Odegaard to get back to his best. Speaking after the triumph over Sheffield United, the Spanish coach explained why he chose to bench the 24-year-old. As quoted by the club’s official website, he said, “Martin has been carrying a little thing that wasn’t very comfortable in the games.”

Why Martin Odegaard has been struggling to shine for Arsenal

Arteta also revealed that Odegaard has been under a great deal of pressure recently, saying, “I think he has endured a lot…he had a difficult period with the national team. It was a big blow for them with what happened – but this is football. He needs to get on with that. He’s a massive player for us.”

Norway look unlikely to qualify for EURO 2024, after a difficult qualifying campaign. This will have come as a major blow to Odegaard, who has made 55 appearances for his country.

As Arteta said, though, Odegaard is too important to Arsenal to wallow in that disappointment. The club need him. Perhaps, a short break from the action was exactly what he needed and he’ll now be ready to shine once more.

Odegaard has previously been praised for his “exceptional leadership.” Against tougher opponents, the Gunners will struggle without having their talismanic skipper on the pitch and leading by example.