Paul Scholes claims one Arsenal player is a bigger problem for Mikel Arteta than referees and discipline

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Arsenal’s start to the Premier League campaign has caused plenty of debate surrounding where potential problems may lie for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have struggled to keep themselves in touching distance of their rivals within the title race so far this season.

Manchester City and Liverpool lead the way – sitting five and four points ahead of Arsenal respectively – setting the pace for the rest of the division.

Mikel Arteta has had his challenges as three separate red cards have cost his side on three occasions, while injuries have also been a factor.

While they aren’t excuses, they may point to reasons that overall, the north London side hasn’t been hitting top gear yet.

With refereeing decisions being a major talking point, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has given his verdict on the issues at the Emirates Stadium.

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Paul Scholes discusses Martin Odegaard injury troubles

One of the major issues facing Arsenal over the past month has been the injury to club captain Martin Odegaard.

The playmaker has been out of action since the September international break, where he picked up an ankle issue on his travels with Norway.

As feared, the midfielder was set for a spell on the sidelines, with a return not expected until early-to-mid November.

For Scholes, that has been a bigger problem than the disciplinary concerns at the club as he spoke on The Overlap fan debate.

“Discipline is a problem, but I think Arsenal miss Odegaard massively,” the former Man United star said when discussing the side’s troubles so far this season.

“He changes the way you play football and I think that one player can change a team and I think the attacking play.

“I said this earlier in the season I think, I’m disappointed in Arsenal but I think it’s all down to Odegaard not playing in the team.

“I think the rest of it looks alright, ok they’ve had a few injuries, they’ve had suspensions and we don’t know how long the one centre-half will be out now.”

It’s a bold claim, given the side’s ability to earn results when discipline hasn’t impacted them, but Odegaard’s influence on the team is clear.

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Martin Odegaard injury return hope

It is clear just how difficult Arsenal have found it when Odegaard has been missing, with his influence both on and off the ball crucial to how they play.

The former Real Madrid man is a creative outlet who is more than capable of recirculating possession and keeping them on the ball.

Without him, there is a higher chance of the side sitting deeper and struggling to get out of their defensive shape.

When out of possession, Odegaard is usually the main trigger for the press, picking his moment to tell the side to swarm the opposition.

Fortunately for the Gunners, it appears as though a return could be on the cards in the weeks just before the international break.

Recent reports claimed that Odegaard is set to return to Arsenal training by stepping foot on the grass once again, though it is unsure when he may be fit enough to be named in the starting lineup.

With some big fixtures coming up over the next five games, the return of the captain could be crucial to the side’s title hopes.

Tricky away fixtures against Newcastle, Chelse and West Ham await, while Nottingham Forest have started well and Manchester United could look different under their soon-to-be manager Ruben Amorim.

If Odegaard is back in contention, then there is a greater chance of going on another run of victories.