Darren Bent criticises Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard

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Darren Bent has criticised Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard for his performance against Tottenham Hotspur.

Club captain Martin Odegaard was one of several Arsenal players to struggle in Sunday’s 2-2 north London derby draw against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Norwegian playmaker was uncharacteristically poor against Spurs. He has been one of the north London club’s standout players so far this season, already chipping in with three goals, and was recently awarded with a new long-term contract. However, he wasn’t at his best on Sunday.

According to WhoScored statistics, Odegaard completed just 67.9% of his passes, was dispossessed three times, and recorded two unsuccessful touches. 

Mikel Arteta will be desperately hoping that Odegaard can get back to his best in his next match, as the Gunners need the £30 million star to maintain his good form. The 24-year-old is at the heart of this Arsenal team, and so much of their tactical build up play is constructed around his influence.

Martin Odegaard goes missing on derby day

Darren Bent was certainly unimpressed by the 53-cap Norway international’s display against Spurs. Speaking on TalkSport, the former striker criticised Odegaard and a number of his Arsenal teammates, saying, “Odegaard, nowhere to be seen. Gabriel Jesus wasn’t good. Eddie Nketiah I thought was poor, really poor. He didn’t offer anything.”

Arsenal need to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Barring any unforeseen fitness concerns, Odegaard will start that match and needs to deliver a much improved performance.

As a team, Arsenal need to become much more clinical going forward. A lack of cutting edge in the final third cost them against Spurs and will hold them back throughout the campaign if they aren’t able to take their attacking game up a level. Odegaard is one of the players Arteta will be looking to to give the Gunners an edge in this part of the pitch.