Despite experiencing a poor run of results prior to the international break, Arsenal received some positive news. They welcomed Martin Odegaard back from injury.
For around 6 weeks, the North Londoners were without the services of the Norwegian playmaker, and they suffered for it. Without Odegaard, the Arsenal attack gradually lost its creativity; there was no one to lead the press; there was no one able to manipulate the inside pockets like he does, hold on to the ball, or play that final pass.
Without him, Arsenal had to rely on crosses, which were not yielding the desired results.
Odegaard returned to the Arsenal starting lineup when they played Chelsea just before the break, and he really did impress; he activated the Arsenal attack in ways it hadn’t been for a while.
Certainly the ex-Real Madrid is what makes this Arsenal team click; he’s not just their leader; he is the catalyst to everything positive they do.
That said, it comes as no surprise that ESPN is highlighting him as the most important Gunner.
The publication on their website dropped the following list of their five important Gunners:
ESPN’s five most important Arsenal players.
1. Martin Odegaard
2. Bukayo Saka
3. William Saliba
4. Gabriel Magalhaes
5. Declan Rice
In reaction to the list, Shaka Hislop defended the decision of naming Odegaard the most important player, saying, “Yeah I think so, to your point about Martin Odegaard, I’m not sure if this list was done two months ago, Martin Odegaard would be top, but because of the injury, you realise how important Martin Odegaard has been to Arsenal.
“We would’ve said something completely different a month or two ago. If Bukayo Saka is out of the team, maybe they don’t struggle as much as they have the last two weeks; the same with Saliba and Gabriel; if both are out, then Arsenal have a problem, but if one is, you feel the other can make up for any slack.
“Arsenal have coped without Declan Rice because of suspension earlier this season, and you feel it wouldn’t have as big of an impact as we’ve seen with Odegaard. I have no problem with that list for Arsenal.”
The hope must be that having rested the last week by not going out on international duty, Odegaard will be better after the break and will return to dictate games for Arsenal, being the key to this Arsenal team.
Daniel O
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Odegaard’s absence made our attack dull, because Arteta didn’t trust Nwaneri to deputize Odegaard
I don’t know – we did ok for a few games without odegaard and then collapsed. I could see something similar happening if we were missing saka instead tbh – it’s very possible the collapse would have come earlier as he’s easily our most potent player in terms of goals and final passes imo.
I’d put partey on that list based on his performances this season, although jorginho has proven a capable replacement – who knows if a fit partey could have made the difference last year, though?
I would put Havertz at 5 over Rice. Rice wont even make the 11 when Merino starts firing.
What?! 😳 I’d say more but I’m somewhat speechless at that remark!
GB,
It was worse for me, I fell off my chair at that remark. (I’m going to sue, for industrial injury).
What exactly does Rice offer apart from a lot of running around? Cant play in tight spaces at dm and certainly cant play through the lines like Partey can. Offers next to nothing going forward. Evidently clear since Odegaards injury. Not a number 8 and not right for our style of play at 6. If im being honest Merino offered more in 20 mins against chelsea than Rice has all season. I will say it now and say it again Rice would been 40 million if he was any other nationality other than English.
Liam,
Just out of interest, did you have the same views last season when Rice was getting rave reviews.
No, it proves Arteta hasn’t a clue how to replace an important player. IE Saliba, Saka, Partey Haverz, Gabriel or whoever has an injury and is out for a while. His system is flimsy. Its a team game not an individual sport.
Last season we covered for partey very well in the end, and I do believe we could cover well enough for either centre back *if* all the other defenders weren’t so injury prone – I know that’s partly our fault as well, especially with Tomi and calafiori who I believe were known to have injury issues, but timber was a freak injury, and he can cover the entire backline. It’s the forwards where we are very flimsy imo – we don’t have reliable options aside from a select few.
In short, I don’t think it’s the system that’s flimsy, it’s the fact we’ve not bought many forwards, and the ones we have signed haven’t all been fantastic.
No, I think Saka’s injury would hurt us the most. Before Saka picked up a knock he was creating the most big chances in the league. If I had a choice to have a fully fit squad bar one player Saka would be my last choice to miss out. Odegaard may be second last.