Martin Odegaard scored in three consecutive matches by adding the second in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Southampton yesterday, and spoke to the press following the final whistle.
The Norway international joined the club on a permanent deal in the summer, having enjoyed his loan stint earlier in 2021, but his playing time had been a little limited so far this term.
Of late however, he has been asked to operate in behind the striker in a 4-4-1-1 formation, working as somewhat of a shadow striker, and it has been paying dividends.
With a goal in each of the last three games, his contribution can appear obvious, but with us having lost both of the previous two matches he scored in, this one meant more for him.
“I’m very happy to help the team to get results,” Odegaard told Arsenal Media after the final whistle. “I’ve scored in other games as well but we didn’t win so it doesn’t mean anything. Today it’s important that we won so I’m very happy. Yes, it [was my first headed goal], it’s not my biggest strength. I would say I was in the right place at the right time.
“We practice these things every day, every day we play out from the back and we practice different ways to get up from the back and that goal was the result of what we do on the training pitch.”
There is something satisfying to hear that it is the results of work on the training ground that directly lead to a goal, furthering the belief that there is more positive work happening behind the scenes.
Odegaard had been out of form before being give the chance to operate in the new role, and now looks hard to drop, although with Emile Smith Rowe having remained an unused substitute yesterday, you would expect him to come into the side at the expense of one of Martin, Saka or Martinelli assuming he is 100% fit.
Should Martin’s role be cemented heading into the match with West Ham?
Patrick
FULL POST-SOUTHAMPTON PRESS CONFERENCE
Odegaard has been our most dangerous player in the last 3 games. He deserves more credit than whats been given here.
And he should’v scored more especially against the Toffes…But it’s encouraging
🤣🤣🤣 So they are practising Tierney fluffing a cross completely, they hitting the second attempt into the 1st man to only then put the ball into the danger area…
No surprise other managers can’t come close to MA tactically!
No doubt PJ…I detect some serious brown-nosing on the part of Ode, who clearly sees the benefit of pumping the tires of our fragile and tactically naïve manager…smart on his part, but probably not in the best interests of our team as a whole if we really want to reinvent our organizational wheel
Yes it is unfair that people on here say he has no pace, can’t press etc, but he does press in the games I’ve seen, which is good for a playmaker type of player. He still young and developing he’s game, and if our forwards had taken the simple chances that he had created he’s stats would be pretty good. Also I like the fact that he encourages people around him to press get into positions, he could be our future captain. Like ESR,Saka and Martineli you can see they are going to be much better players than what we see now…
ESR should replace Martinelli. He and Laca should be there with Saka. ESR is our best scorer right now. Saka does really good work at the flank but should pass more instead of kicking the ball directly to the goalkeeper as he’s fond of doing in some games. He has a very good eye for cutbacks.
“CEMENTED” Patrick? What an appalling idea for any player! The best way for others to lose motivation is to cement any one player who is not earning his keep. OBVIOUSLY!
I’d love to “cement” two players though, Auba and Xhaka but NOT in the team, for sure.
I’ll leave you to guess WHERE Id like to cement both those useless twerps!
Ha ha ha ha ha🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 it must have to Tierney months to perfect the Fluff shot and delayed floater to create a bit of head tennis.
No doubt we will see it again in the future, maybe from the right wing next time for Saka to rise above a 6′ 6″ center back.🤣🤣🤣
Took Tierney
Odegard has improved his game and is becoming crucial to the team cause. He could also flourish as a deep lying midfielder so that he can replace Xhaka and ESR could play just behind the main striker. In this way, all Saka, Martinelli, ESR and Odegard can play at the same time making Arsenal very potent and dangerous.