Arsenal’s Captain, Martin Ødegaard, reached an impressive landmark against Leeds, but an injury prevented him from completing the game. The Norwegian featured in Arsenal’s 5-0 demolition of Leeds United on a day that saw Eberechi Eze unveiled as an Arsenal player. Goals from Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres ensured victory that sent the Gunners to the top of the Premier League standings on goal difference. It was not a flawless performance, but fans would have been delighted by the individual displays of Gyökeres, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori to name a few. The game carried personal significance for one player, Martin Ødegaard.
Ødegaard reaches 200 appearances
The skipper made his 200th appearance for the Gunners when he led the team out against the newly promoted side on Saturday. The Norwegian has reached the milestone after spending four and a half years with the club. He made his debut against Manchester United in January 2021 and is now the 118th Gunner to reach 200 games in the famous red and white. Martin Ødegaard has been ever present over the course of his stay at the club. No player has played more often since he joined in 2021, with his 200 appearances coming from a possible 230 matches in all competitions, a remarkable 86 per cent of all games. Only Gabriel Magalhães has amassed more minutes in that period of time. During his stay with the Gunners, the Norwegian has scored 41 goals and provided 36 assists.
Injury concerns for Arsenal
It was a game that carried personal significance, but Ødegaard would have been disappointed by how things went. He picked up an injury in the first half and after trying to soldier on, Mikel Arteta decided to bring him off for Ethan Nwaneri. An update has not been issued as of writing, but fans will hope it is not too serious considering the fixtures ahead. Bukayo Saka was also taken off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and his setback will be particularly concerning due to his reaction.
Hopefully we will get some positive updates on Norgaard, Odegaard and Saka soon.
Benjamin Kenneth
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I love Ode. I think he carried injuries in games last season we/opponents never learnt about. Captains armband at Liverpool Rice?
My analysis shows we played better at Man Utd than against leads. My analysis goes deeper than size of win, and takes account of difficulty of game, opposition, venue. What I am saying is pundits raved about Man City four nil at Wolves, but wolves could finish bottom, wolves board doing their very very best to finish bottom, so what did we really learn about Man City? Reindeers completely invisible against spuds. Likewise fixture computer could have given Ars Leeds home first, but what would we really have learnt despite all the ravings?
What I am saying is Analyse each match on a how good was press b how brave and creative were you with passing and carries, c how good without ball, fast intelligent transitioning and such like, d tempo. On all those measure Ars not that good against Leeds, quite average at times against Leeds on those measures, but good and forced to be on all those measures away at Old Trafford.
Arteta or players messed up left side for much of game yesterday, Ricky should have been under lapping not getting 3 yard easy pass from Maddy out on wing but other way round. Rice was often stood next to both of them. Too close together it becomes mental muddle in decision making and ball won’t move with enough tempo. Apart from 1 from 2 games Saka not influential in either match, like lack of form.