‘Real energy’: £30m Arsenal star was the only positive in West Ham defeat

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal were disappointing as they were eliminated from the Carabao Cup against West Ham, but there was one positive to take from a disastrous night.

Captain Martin Odegaard was on the bench again, following a poor run of form whilst he also struggled with a slight injury, but he came on at 3-0 down and pulled back a consolation goal.

Whilst the goal meant very little in terms of the game, his cameo display was impressive as he helped inject a spark of life into an otherwise faltering Arsenal side on the night.

Martin Odegaard praised despite Arsenal defeat

Journalist James Benge praised Odegaard as he scored in the closing stages of the game, highlighting what he added to the team’s disappointing display.

“3-1, Martin Odegaard, who has brought real energy to this most forlorn of causes,” he tweeted.

Odegaard’s goal saw him exchange passes with Fabio Vieira down the left-hand channel, before slotting the ball into the bottom right corner, resembling what was starting to become his trademark finish at the start of this campaign.

Confidence boost for Odegaard?

Odegaard looked full of life in his cameo, and perhaps his short break out of the team has allowed him to come back fully refreshed.

His goal was his first since September, and he had been the subject of criticism for his displays in recent weeks.

With a tough match away at Newcastle on Saturday, the £30m signing from Real Madrid will now hope to build on his goal at West Ham and return to his best form in what promises to be a physical encounter.

Odegaard delivered a sensational display at St James’ Park last season, opening the scoring with a long range finish, and if he can have a similar impact on Saturday, it will help silence the critics within the fanbase.