Martin Ødegaard is set to reprise his role as Arsenal captain when the new season commences this weekend, and many will hope the Norwegian can finally guide Arsenal to a major trophy. The Gunners have strengthened significantly, addressing problem areas and adding depth to their squad. The arrival of players such as Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi has generated excitement and a new level of expectation, but the pressure will also be on established players to deliver.
Despite criticism and a dip in form last season, Martin Ødegaard is still regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position. This is a sentiment echoed by a Premier League rival, who recently singled out a key quality in the Norwegian’s game.
Mac Allister Inspired By Ødegaard
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has emerged as one of the top midfielders in Europe in recent years, and speaking in a recent interview, he revealed how Ødegaard’s style has influenced his own development. He praised the Arsenal captain for being one of the best in the world at scanning the pitch.
Speaking to The Players’ Tribune, Mac Allister explained how Roberto De Zerbi improved his game at Brighton by using Ødegaard as a prime example. He said: “When De Zerbi came in as our manager that next season, a few months before the World Cup, it changed everything for me. The main thing that he helped me improve was my scanning of the field, my ‘profiling’ of the situation. Taking little mental pictures of the chess board every two seconds.
“We looked at Ødegaard as an example of this. For me, he’s one of the best in the world at scanning. His head never stops moving. De Zerbi gave me this gift, and it really elevated my game.”
Criticism And Captaincy Debate
Ødegaard has been heavily criticised in recent months following a drop-off in form last campaign. Most noticeably, Tony Adams recently suggested that Mikel Arteta should strip him of the captaincy, naming Declan Rice as his preferred choice to wear the armband.
The Norwegian, however, is unlikely to be deterred by such remarks and will remain focused on leading Arsenal in pursuit of silverware. With a stronger squad around him and a new season ahead, Ødegaard will be determined to prove his doubters wrong. Arsenal Players voted to retain Odegaard as their captain.
What do you think Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
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He’s washed. His final ball, pass is terrible. United v Arsenal yesterday as an example. He should prove himself this season else off.
If I were Tony Adam’s, I would stop with the toxicity if only to preserve my legendary status.
Every player experiences a dip in form throughout a footballers carrier, but that’s no reason to throw everything about him in the bin.
Fortunately Odergaard has had to grow up and toughen up from an early age having been a child star.
I thought Ødegaard looked quicker and stronger especially driving forward but what he did lack was the final killer pass. He and the rest of the team need to adapt to VK14’s runs but VK14 also needs to adapt to the teams play as he had a terrible debut yesterday.
If Arsenal are to be successful this season they are going to need Odegaard to play well and lead the team effectively. Hopefully, he can do both and Arsenal can go on to win titles.
Adam’s comments are really poor. It’s insulting to the club, the manager and to Odegaard. It isn’t his place to be saying who should be the captain and how Arteta should be running things. His direct comments about Odegaard are amongst the more silly things that some former legends of the club have come up with.
What is also quite remarkable is that we have all sorts of people on various forums claiming that Adams was right to come out with his nonsense. Even if he had a view on the captaincy he should have been more circumspect. As a former professional he has had his own share of ups and downs and must know that there are a lot of things that need to align to achieve success.
So he’s not entitled to an opinion then David?
😂
Dear oh dear David,
You can’t be negative to Arteta, and now you’ve added Captain fantastic to your no negative comments list. 🤦♂️
I think his point is that you need more things to align to achieve success than having a certain leader wearing the armband. Adams said we won’t win with Odegaard leading, so I assume he thinks that with a better leader, we could win. Do people believe that we would have gotten over the line had Rice been wearing the armband? I don’t think they believe that
I can agree with that, break on through. He has a voice which as an Arsenal great, allows him to air his views. I listened to it and I think it was ill conceived and unnecessary. It has nothing to do with me liking Odegaard, but everything to do with not upsetting the apple cart especially as the players are happy with the job he is doing
I agree SueP. The more influential you are, the more you should be careful what you say and/or how you say it regardless of how many believe you are right or wrong on the matter.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and nobody at Arsenal, on or off the pitch, should be beyond the reach of criticism as long as it can be justified.
I’m not convinced that the choice of captain, in this day and age, has anything like the impact that it may have done in days of fond memory. The era of the “intimidating” captain – of, say, the Adams, Keane type is gone.
If Arsenal’s players are happy with Odegaard as captain, then fine. There are quite a few other things that need attention from yesterday’s game.