Martin Odegaard was rightly rewarded with a new contract advanced through Arsenal last month after excelling since taking the captain’s armband. However, the Norwegian has struggled in recent times to cause fear in coach Mikel Arteta.
Odegaard signed a deal in September to stay in the Emirates until 2028. Arsenal enthusiasts rejoiced and formulated a new chant for their captain almost at the same time.
There is no doubt that he was one of the most productive players in the Premier League last season. He was the club’s top scorer with 15 goals in midfield and provided seven extra assists.
This is one of the main reasons why Arsenal were a rival for the name in the first place. The Gunners have had a solid, albeit spectacular, start to the season.
They occupy a spot in the standings and are one of only two teams to remain undefeated. But nothing changes in the last third place as it happened last season.
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It remains to be seen whether Odegaard is the cause of the challenge or the result of it. But he didn’t achieve the same success he had achieved in his first crusade with the bracelet.
You don’t need to take a look at the stats to realise this: it’s a shadow of what it was before against Chelsea on Saturday. But stats are also a smart indicator of where your game is right now.
Odegaard has three league goals this season, but two of those were penalties. He didn’t manage a single shot on target last season out of his total of 15.
His creativity is also waning, having created just two big chances for his teammates in the first nine league games of the campaign. That’s a big chance every 4. 5 games, whereas last season he did it every 2. 6 games.
He has made just one pass this season in nine games, compared to an average of one pass every 5. 2 games in the 2022/23 campaign. There may be several reasons for Odegaard’s retirement that are beyond his control. .
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Arsenal have replaced their way of playing this season with the arrival of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in midfield. Thomas Partey hasn’t started since August due to injury, but he’s played at right-back when he has to create a different dynamic. .
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, two of Arsenal’s smartest strikers, have also missed games due to injuries. Not having them at the end of Odegaard’s incisive passes would possibly have had an impact.
But Arteta will be concerned that his greatest artistic strength has not been making a difference in important games. He did not score a goal or lend a hand in the games against Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Arsenal’s recent good fortune is largely based on Odegaard’s performances at the highest level. They want him back to his most productive level if they want to mount a run for the name next May.