‘It is inevitable’ – Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defends key player amid claims of loss in form

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It is a make or break week for Arsenal’s season. The Gunners host Manchester United in the Third Round of the FA Cup before hosting North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side would want to be heading into the huge clashes in a better run of form but did beat Manchester United last month in the Premier League with David Raya making a ‘game changer’ save.

Attentions now turn to the FA Cup and with returns for Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling this week from illness and injury, the Gunners will be looking to get one over on their rivals yet again.

However, one player in particular has been criticised by the fans for recent performances, leading to calls for Zinchenko to play in midfield to ease Arsenal’s creative burden.

READ MORE: Arsenal have made contact with Marcus Rashford, the deal is in Manchester United’s hands

Mikel Arteta defends the form of Martin Odegaard

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup clash with Manchester United, boss Arteta has jumped to the defence of his captain Martin Odegaard.

Fans were annoyed at Odegaard’s performance against Newcastle but Arteta has stated: “He’s come from an injury and maybe in the first week or two you have that extra energy and then, he was ill.”

Arteta was then quizzed on whether Odegaard is missing team mate Bukayo Saka in the side and Arteta explained: “It can be an element of that. It is inevitable to think, when you have that chemistry.”

Saka and Odegaard have been in sensational form together this season and Martin Keown believes the Arsenal duo are the best in Europe right now.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim praises Odegaard

Also speaking at his pre-match press conference, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been praising the influence that Odegaard has on the Arsenal side ahead of their FA Cup showdown.

Amorim stated: “When he is playing, Arsenal is a different team. But they can win and lose with and without [Martin] Odegaard in the team.”

Odegaard’s impact on the Arsenal side is there for all to see, the Gunners are yet to lose in the Premier League this season when he has played.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans will be hoping that the skipper’s poor performance against Newcastle was a one-off and he can be back to his brilliant best ahead of a crucial period for the North London side.