Arsenal star Martin Odegaard has been quietly thriving in recent weeks, as the midfielder has hit a high level of performance without getting too much credit.
Arsenal’s defence has been praised in recent weeks, whilst Jorginho took the plaudits after a stunning display in Sunday’s victory over Liverpool, in a performance which perhaps overshadowed Odegaard’s.
Odegaard faced criticism earlier this season as it was claimed that he was struggling creatively, and failing to hit the heights of last year, but the reality is that he has still been operating at a top-class level in this campaign, despite his creativity not being fully reflected in his assist stats.
Martin Odegaard leads Europe for open-play chances created
WhoScored have now highlighted that Odegaard has created 43 chances from open play in the league this season, a total higher than any other player in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
This has come in 20 Premier League appearances this season, but despite this, he has registered just four assists.
Odegaard also leads the Premier League for through-balls completed with 21, ahead of the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bruno Fernandes.
This also puts him above the likes of Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Europe’s best creative players, and he is operating at a world-class level when it comes to creativity.
Are Odegaard’s teammates letting him down?
There is perhaps no better bit of play to sum up Odegaard’s performances than his through-ball in the build-up to Bukayo Saka’s opening goal against Liverpool.
The 25-year-old executed a perfect pass to split the Liverpool defence, and put Kai Havertz through on goal. This was registered as a through-ball and a chance created, but Havertz’s shot was saved, with Saka firing in the rebound.
The pass from Odegaard was sensational, and essentially created the goal, but he was not rewarded with an assist.
Arsenal’s forwards have failed to convert the vast majority of chances that Odegaard has created, and in addition to his playmaking, he consistently covers the most ground of his teammates.
The former Real Madrid prospect works hard for his team, links the midfield with the attack and is now statistically the best creator in Europe, and any critics he gained in the early stage of the season will have now disappeared.
Arsenal now find themselves back in the title mix, and Odegaard’s performances at the heart of midfield have been crucial to this.
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