Martin Odegaard was such a big miss for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, with Mikel Arteta’s team desperately missing their most creative player against Man City.
The Arsenal captain was ruled out of the Wembley final as he continues to recover from a knee injury which has sidelined him since the end of February.
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City’s press was far too intense for the Gunners, and Arteta’s side struggled to play through it, highlighting the need for a player like Odegaard.
Eberechi Eze was no doubt a big miss for Arsenal; however, the 27-year-old being ruled out proved to be even more detrimental to the team’s chances.
Arsenal really missed Martin Odegaard vs Man City
The Carabao Cup final was tailor-made for a player like Martin Odegaard, and Arsenal seriously missed him against Man City.
Odegaard has received a lot of criticism at Arsenal this season; however, the Gunners really missed his ability to create from deep in the cup final.
Ahead of the cup final, Odegaard was hoping to return from injury, but he was not fit in time and was forced to watch from the stands.
Mikel Arteta’s team really struggled to deal with City’s press at Wembley, which was partly caused by David Raya not being there to help with the build-up.
But Martin Zubimendi also continued to prove why he’s not at the required level, as the midfielder struggled to keep Arsenal ticking.
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The midfielder managed just 41 touches and completed 22 passes, which was just not enough for the Gunners against a strong City team.
Having a player like Odegaard, who is so comfortable in possession and a player who looks to move the ball forward, is exactly what the North London club needed.
The Norwegian’s ability to drop deep and progress the ball is such an underrated attribute in this Arsenal team, and they missed that on Sunday.
Eze and Kai Havertz have both been good in the number ten over recent weeks, but neither of them is a player who likes to drop deep and help with progression.
Arsenal face City again in three weeks, and Arteta will be hopeful that his captain will be fully fit for the game at the Etihad.
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