He has disappointed this season, Mikel Arteta now needs this Arsenal star to rediscover his goal threat

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Arsenal will need contributions from all over the pitch if they are to overcome their injury crisis in attacking areas.

Fans are furious with the Arsenal board after their decision to not sign a striker in January has already come back to haunt them with Kai Havertz ruled out for the season with a hamstring tear.

Despite their problems in attack, Arsenal are currently the second top scorers in the Premier League behind Liverpool with 49 goals, having shared the responsibility around the squad this season.

Gabriel Magalhaes has been a constant threat from set pieces and Leandro Trossard will hope to continue to chip in with important goals. One man though has disappointed with their attacking output this season and the time has come for him to step up for his manager Arteta.

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Martin Odegaard needs to improve his goal and assist output for Arsenal

Martin Odegaard has expressed frustration at his own performances this season and himself believes his lack of goals and assists could cost Arsenal a chance at a trophy this season.

In the absence of other key players such as Bukayo Saka and Havertz, the responsibility falls even further now on the Norwegian skipper.

Odegaard has scored just three goals in all competitions this season and has produced just six assists alongside those disappointing numbers in front of goal.

Arsenal fans believed Odegaard cost them the Carabao Cup with a vital miss in the second leg against Newcastle and it is time for the captain to step up and start taking those chances.

The frustration for fans will be that Odegaard has proven to be a threat in the past, last season he scored 11 goals and in the 2022-23 season he impressed with 15 goals.

Odegaard wishes that he played with Lionel Messi

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Leicester City, Odegaard has named Lionel Messi as the one player he wishes he played with in his career.

Odegaard spent some years playing in La Liga against Messi, the Argentine was at Barcelona whilst the Arsenal man was at rivals Real Madrid.

Instead of Messi it will be Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri for Odegaard and it is up to the Norwegian to create opportunities for the forward players, especially in times of trouble like the present.

He scored the opener in the recent win against Manchester City, Arteta will now be hoping that sparks his skipper into a run of form in front of goal.