Martin Odegaard became a discussion point after Arsenal’s draw against Nottingham Forest for the wrong reasons.
After Odegaard was woeful against Chelsea, the decision was made by Mikel Arteta to retain trust in the midfielder.
Admittedly, it was unsurprising to see the Norwegian start against Nottingham Forest, even though Eberechi Eze deserved the chance to prove himself.
Arteta loves Odegaard, that much is obvious, but it’s come to the point where Arsenal’s club captain is actually hindering the way his team play.
Agree or disagree, Mikel Arteta will show a weakness if he doesn’t drop Martin Odegaard for Eberechi Eze
Martin Odegaard does not deserve to start for Arsenal right now
Eze will be watching Odegaard and Arteta closely, and rightly so, as right now, there’s very little that supports the skipper’s claim to the starting XI.
Watching the action unfold at the City Ground, one thing became so clear about Odegaard: he’s sometimes very difficult to watch.
When he’s not at his best, playing against the 27-year-old must be a dream for some, as he’s painfully predictable.
Receive the ball deep, scan, move sideways, and pass the ball sideways or backwards.
Prove me wrong, Martin Odegaard does not offer enough to Arsenal anymore.
Predictability is arguably the worst trait a creative midfielder can have, as the role is so often the key to unlocking defences and getting the front line of attack engaged in play.
What we saw from Odegaard against Forest was disastrous and massively detrimental to Arsenal, which might’ve been why Arteta hooked him just 57 minutes into the contest.
Elliot Anderson had a field day taking the ball from Odegaard, which was the same for Enzo Fernandez just three days prior at Stamford Bridge.
Having a manager who prides himself on duel-winning, it’s beyond understanding how Odegaard has not been dropped from the favoured XI, as he’s more often than not brushed off the ball.
A lack of strength and grave predictability aren’t Odegaard’s only issues, as his actions in the final third also aren’t cutting it, with his decline there for all to see.
Arsenal have two attacking midfielders who can surpass Odegaard
It bears asking if only Arteta had a solution, but that only makes the argument more frustrating.
The boss has not one solution, but two, and soon to be three.
Eze is desperate for minutes and deserves them for reasons aside from the fact that he was a £67.5m summer signing.
If the 27-year-old can’t do more than Odegaard, then Ethan Nwaneri is there.
Agree or disagree, Ethan Nwaneri would’ve had more of an impact than Martin Odegaard this season.
If neither of them can offer something more than Odegaard’s mediocrity, then Max Dowman is there to help when he returns to full fitness.
Arsenal have a plethora of attacking midfield talent, but we only see Odegaard, and to be honest, it’s becoming a bit unbearable.
Control over creativity isn’t necessary in a team as regimented as Arsenal, as Arteta is finding, with his team lost for answers in attack when all his side needs is a goal.
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