Nobody is talking about worrying Martin Odegaard statistic that proves Arsenal need transfer change

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have many problems to solve in their attack, with captain Martin Odegaard needing to correct one part of his game.

It’s been something of a nightmare season so far for Odegaard, whose early stages of the campaign were disrupted due to injury.

Odegaard was out for six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury on international duty, leaving Arsenal without his creative excellence in the central areas.

Though the skipper returned with a bang at Stamford Bridge, assisting on his full return, the Norweigan has been performing below par for the most part since his absence.

• READ MORE: Martin Odegaard slammed after doing something that’s ‘beneath him’

Martin Odegaard is not scoring from open play

The season seems to be passing Odegaard by to some degree, as the midfielder is clearly struggling to rediscover his past form.

Such was evident most recently against Newcastle, as Arsenal fans took aim at Odegaard as the Norway international presented a disasterclass going forward.

Though the attacker is capable of producing moments of true magic, there is something that needs addressing right now, as the numbers portray.

Remarkably, Odegaard hasn’t scored for Arsenal from open play since April 2024 – nine months ago.

The captain last scored from open play during the Gunners’ Premier League win over Wolves, which was played on April 20th 2024.

Odegaard has since scored once from the penalty spot and has contributed to eight goals through assists in all competitions.

It’s very rare that the skipper is called up for not contributing enough going forward but, his scoring record is a real concern, particularly when considering the level he was performing at in 2022/23.

That season, the Norweigan topped the charts in the Premier League as the highest-scoring midfielder from open play, scoring a total of 15 goals.

Odegaard’s scoring form sends a transfer alert 

From scoring freely to not striking from open play in nine months, Odegaard’s decline in front of goal isn’t spoken about as much as it should be.

This isn’t to jump on the player’s back to criticise, but more to alert Arsenal to the reasons as to why it’s happening and, how to solve it. 

Firstly, there’s no competition for the player, whose place in the favoured XI is solidified due to the fact that Arteta offloaded his competitors in the summer, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe. 

On the other hand, Arsenal’s attack in general is lacking significantly, with the majority of Arteta’s forwards struggling, including Odegaard.

Signing a competitor for the Norweigan is a must, as is hiring players around him to bolster his performance levels.

Change is needed at Arsenal, with Odegaard’s decline one telling indicator of where the squad are lacking.