Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is one of the most tactically astute managers in world football.
The Spaniard has transformed the Gunners over the last six years and has turned them into the best team in the Premier League and Champions League.
One of Arteta’s key players over the years has been his captain, Martin Odegaard.
The Norway international has produced several incredible performances for the North Londoners, but over the last year, he just hasn’t been following one key instruction.
What is the biggest factor behind Martin Odegaard’s recent struggles? 🤔
Martin Odegaard is not listening to Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
Odegaard has not been at his best for quite some time now.
On his day, the Arsenal captain is capable of unlocking any defence in the world with his passes, and he has proved that in the famous red and white.
Since the start of last season, Odegaard has played 69 games for the Gunners in all competitions and has scored just seven goals.
One of the biggest reasons behind that issue is that he drops far too deep to build play up instead of staying in his position to affect the game.
Paul Scholes called Odegaard ‘the problem’ at Arsenal for that very reason, and Mikel Arteta has been trying to change that for a long time now.
In January 2025, over a year ago, Arteta said, as per Jordan Davies on X: “He used to play very far from the area. I have tried to bring him closer. My challenge is that he loves it. The day he does that, we will see 15 goals in the Premier League.”
Fast forward a year and Arteta has said the same thing. He claimed on Friday, as per Arsenal.com: “It’s a bit in his nature (to drop deep), and my nature is to go to the opposite side.
“But we need to respect as well the qualities and the talent of players, and within that, they need to feel the freedom in attack, especially to do what they believe is best.”
If a manager is repeating the same instruction a year apart and highlighting it as a problem, it suggests that the player is not listening to the advice.
Agree or disagree: Martin Odegaard should NOT be deemed untouchable in next summer’s transfer window…
Martin Odegaard needs to change his ways to save his Arsenal career
Arteta is absolutely right; Odegaard has to stay high up the pitch.
When he receives the ball in space in the final third, the Norwegian almost always has a positive impact, and that has benefited Arsenal many times in the past.
However, every time he drops deep into his own half to collect the ball, there is a big hole in the number 10 role, and that is helping nobody.
Arsenal fans are calling for Odegaard to be dropped and potentially even sold in the summer because of his poor recent performances.
If the former Real Madrid man wants to save his Arsenal career, he will have to listen to Arteta, stay high up the pitch and start producing goals and assists.
If he doesn’t, Arteta will have to look for a different attacking midfielder.
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