Arsenal needs their magician Ødegaard to work his magic as Mikel Arteta has missed Him
The Norwegian returned to action in the defeat against Inter after two months of injury
There may not be a single reason for Arsenal’s difficulties. But during the two months he has been out injured, Mikel Arteta has missed the tricks of a magician called Martin Odegaard, who returned to the scene in the Champions League defeat against Inter Milan.
“It’s great to have Odegaard back. It’s a bit earlier than we expected. But it’s a big step that he’s traveled with us and is part of the team,” said Arteta in the preview of the match, where he came on in stoppage time to replace an injured Havertz.
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It’s great to have Odegaard back
This is the third defeat suffered by the Gunners in the last six games. That is the same number of defeats as in the previous 32. Not counting the thrashings against Bolton (5-1) and Preston NE (0-3) in the Carabao Cup, Arsenal have only managed to score 12 goals in the 11 games that Martin Odegaard has been absent. A significant lack of striking power that, perhaps, is not so much due to the absence of a ‘killer’… but rather to the absence of a playmaker like the Norwegian.
The game against Inter is the best example. Arsenal had not had so many shots (21) in the Champions League without scoring since 2006 against CSKA (23) . However, except for a few moments, we saw a flat team lacking imagination … which has made the set piece its main offensive argument.
“I’m very proud of the game we played and the chances we created. We should have scored at least a couple of goals and that’s our fault,” said Arteta. Sommer, however, only had to make four interventions.
We should have scored at least a couple of goals and that’s our fault
Arsenal has not had the kind of positional fluidity to break down solid defensive blocks like Inter’s for some time now. A problem that could be motivated by Arteta’s much more conservative approach… but which is also reflected in the absence of Martin Odegaard, who, in addition to generating 22 goals last season, led the team in progressive passes (397), deliveries into the box (143), key passes (112) and chances created (243).
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Despite the tortuous schedule on the horizon, it is not wise to take any risks after two months on the sidelines. But while Trossard has had his moments and Nwaneri is raising his hand, Arsenal’s role urgently calls for the magic of the magician Odegaard.
The team can go to Stamford Bridge and win against Chelsea
“With the way we played tonight against Inter, the team can go to Stamford Bridge and win against Chelsea,” Mikel concluded.