Forget a striker, Andrea Berta must look for an upgrade on ‘terrible’ Arsenal star as fans rage at display

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Arsenal’s clash with Fulham was significant for reasons aside from the three points collected.

The Gunners beat Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates to temporarily lower the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Liverpool to nine points. 

Unfortunately, the victory didn’t come without issues, which has been the theme of Arsenal’s season, as Mikel Arteta watched Gabriel Magalhaes pick up a hamstring injury. 

Arteta confirmed his worry about Gabriel’s fitness as the home supporters in N5 left the ground with anxiety over the centre-back’s availability ahead of Real Madrid. 

The crowd watched on gingerly as the Brazilian marched off the pitch, with one figure in attendance at the Emirates getting airtime.

• READ MORE: Bukayo Saka’s celebration and Mikel Arteta’s reaction to Gabriel Magalhaes injury – five things you missed from Arsenal v Fulham

Martin Odegaard was not impactful against Fulham

After Andrea Berta was unveiled as Arsenal’s sporting director, the Italian was present for his first game after being hired by the club. 

Berta would’ve gained several pointers from his first trip to N5, one of which unavoidably was the need for a number nine signing. 

There is also debate over another area that the sporting director could look to bolster, as captain Martin Odegaard had another lacklustre game.

Odegaard has been criticised this season, and unfortunately, the Norwegian was unable to prove doubters wrong against Fulham. 

As seen by his match statistics, the midfielder offered very little in the final third and lost the ball 15 times.

Given Arsenal’s struggle to break down blocks this season, it would be assumed that Berta would’ve got the message regarding the need for a revamp in the front line.

Aside from needing a striker, the Italian might have noted the need for a fresh playmaker, as Odegaard’s dreary campaign appears likely to extend into the summer.

Arsenal unimpressed with Odegaard vs Fulham

What’s frustrating is that Odegaard was sublime on international duty, but didn’t perform close to such level against Fulham. 

One Arsenal fan took to X to vent about the midfielder, blaming Odegaard for infuriating them with his style of play. 

“Every time Odegaard gets the ball in space he does that little touch/check backwards to look for someone behind him instead of going forward. It infuriates me man. What happened to him?” 

“Odegaard done nothing this game,” another said, while other fans looked further than the clash against Marco Silva’s side. 

“Odegaard this season been a tough watch,” an Arsenal supporter said, an opinion shared by others. 

“Odegaard can’t hide anymore. He has been terrible,” one fed-up fan wrote. 

Arteta needs to get his captain ticking again, which is easier said than done given that Arsenal’s depth in the position is incredibly light.

Bar Ethan Nwaneri, who has been playing on the right, the Gunners’ playmaking options are non-existent, emphasising the need for Odegaard to rediscover his magic.