Saka and Odegaard v Spurs

Mikel Arteta admits Odegaard is struggling without Saka

Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that Martin Odegaard may be feeling the absence of Bukayo Saka as the winger recovers from surgery. Saka and Odegaard have developed an exceptional on-field partnership, one that has been instrumental in Arsenal’s success over recent seasons. Their understanding on the pitch has delivered moments of brilliance, with both players feeding off each other’s creativity and skill to consistently trouble opposing defences.

Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain and midfield maestro, suffered his own injury earlier in the campaign, sidelining him for two months. Upon his return, he quickly reestablished himself as a vital part of the team. However, Saka’s current absence is now being felt deeply across the squad, and perhaps most notably by Odegaard, who thrives when paired with the England international.

Saka underwent successful surgery recently, and his recovery is expected to keep him out of action for approximately two months. During this time, Arsenal has faced challenges maintaining the same fluidity and creativity in attack, and Odegaard’s performances have come under scrutiny. The Norwegian playmaker has struggled to replicate his usual form, sparking speculation that Saka’s absence may be affecting him.

When asked about this situation, Arteta told Arsenal Media:

“It can be an element of that. Martin came back from an injury and in the first week or two, you have that extra energy, and then you play every three days. He was ill as well for over a week, and that plays a part, so there’s a lot of circumstances. Obviously, it’s inevitable to think when you have such a chemistry with a player and you’re not together next to each other, you’re going to notice that something is different.”

Saka and Odegaard celebrating against Brighton
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Arteta’s comments highlight just how important Saka and Odegaard’s partnership has been for the team. The duo shares an almost telepathic understanding on the pitch, with Saka’s pace and movement perfectly complementing Odegaard’s vision and passing ability. Together, they have been the driving force behind many of Arsenal’s most impressive performances in recent seasons.

Arsenal must now navigate a critical period of the season without Saka, and Odegaard will need to adapt to new combinations in attack. The team’s ability to remain competitive in the title race will depend on how well they can adjust to the loss of one of their star players.

The Gunners have worked hard to stay near the top of the Premier League table, and Saka’s absence has created an additional challenge. However, they have depth in their squad, and Arteta will be hoping that other players step up to share the creative load with Odegaard

Saka’s return will undoubtedly be a significant boost for Arsenal, and fans will be eager to see him back in action alongside Odegaard. The pair has become one of the most formidable partnerships in the league, and their chemistry will be key to Arsenal’s ambitions of lifting silverware this season.

For now, the team must dig deep and continue to pick up results without their star winger. It’s a test of resilience for Arteta’s side, and the outcome could shape the course of their campaign.


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Tags Bukayo Saka Martin Odegaard Mikel Arteta

11 Comments

  1. The potential impact of losing Saka has been known for about three seasons – that is three summer and January transfer windows.
    More to the point this is three seasons in which the manager had ignored it as he has with suitable back up for Ødegaard and for purchasing a top class striker – although transfer rumours for sure he is looking a Araujo – a central defender.
    The manager is responsible for this – you cannot deny that…

  2. Although I understand that certain players seem to have a good connection on the pitch.

    If it’s true that Odegaard is struggling without Saka in the team, then I question if Odegaard is the player that people seem to think he is.

    I’ll also go as fat to say that I believe he shouldn’t be club captain, that honour should go to Gabriel.

    I believe that being a Centre back, he has a bigger picture in front of him. And therefore he can try to put right any problems the team may be having in said game.

    I also believe that he will be more vocal, which the current captain doesn’t seem to be. My idea of a good club captain, isn’t one who just waves his arms in the air trying to gee up the crowd. There’s more to being a club captain than that.

    And just a passing thought, maybe if the captaincy is taken away from him, just maybe his performances may improve. Just saying.😉👍

  3. Some of us have always known the players and the system are fickle and not robust. Odergaard for one can not be the player we think he is if he can not adapt. And so is the system he plays in. Says it all.

  4. The coach was also putting too much reliance on that Odegaard-Saka linkage in my opinion
    For the few matches they played together, almost all of Arsenal’s attacks were initiated from that right flank
    The team needs to rely less on individual players and play more as a team. And that’s the responsibility of the coaches to accomplish

  5. When Odegaard was out Saka had to step up and be the creative force and now Odegaard needs to do the same I wish Liverpool had these kinds of problems because them without Salah is the difference between champions and chasing top four

    1. Break on through,

      Liverpool would miss salah obviously, but they’ve got better back up than we have. So I think they would cope better than we would.

  6. Odegaard needs to buck his ideas up.
    Personally I don’t think he’s the player a lot of people think he is.

    World class, he certainly isn’t.

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