Mikel Arteta says Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury probably isn’t a factor when it comes to his current form – with the Arsenal captain in the spotlight a bit at this moment in time.
With goals hard to come by, there’s a lot of focus on a player like the Norwegian who is tasked with creating, as well as what’s expected from him in front of goal as well. He has just 2 Premier League goals from his name, and from a player who got 15 in open play the season before last, that’s quite a drop off.
Asked if the ankle problem he sustained while playing for Norway early in the season was contributing to his performance levels, the Arsenal manager said, “We don’t know, probably the answer would be no, because he came back in such a strong way and performed at a very, very high level.
“And then just sustaining that over a period of time, like we are demanding the players to do constantly, especially the creative players, is very difficult.
“His attitude, how willing he is the other day with 10 men, how he takes responsibility and how he wants to drive the team is remarkable, and that’s what I demand from the players, that they will to continue to make things happen, and Martin certainly is trying more than anybody else.”
Pressed further on Odegaard’s output, and whether a change in role has played a part, he continued, “No, his numbers are very similar in terms of what we expect and expected goals and areas that he’s hitting. Maybe the efficiency has dropped a little bit, there were some penalties there as well that he has scored in the past, that’s another factor.
“But we want to increase the levels of the scoring records of every individual and Martin is one of them.”
However, a look at the stats suggests pretty strongly that Odegaard isn’t getting into the same goalscoring positions he did in the previous two seasons. Whether that’s down to a change in role, loss of form, or something else, it’s hard to pinpoint – but it’s definitely part of why he isn’t scoring.
Martin Odegaard - goalscoring/shooting
| GOALS | SHOTS | SHOTS ON TARGET | SHOTS PER 90 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 15 | 93 | 31 | 2.68 |
| 2023-24 | 8 | 75 | 21 | 2.18 |
| 2024-25 | 2 | 27 | 7 | 1.66 |
For more Odegaard – check out today’s Arseblog
Another aspect to Odegaard’s form has been the absence of Bukayo Saka and Ben White, with that trio a consistently effective part of Arteta’s team.
While Saka is still some way from returning, White made his first appearance after knee surgery in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, one of the only positives from that disappointing day.
Asked what his return would bring to the side, Arteta said, “Well, a player that has given us something very, very special, especially in that right unit.
“We haven’t played the right unit at all this season with him, Bukayo and Martin as well, a unit that has played so much football together.
“So it’s great to have him back, more options, his energy, the way he’s around the team, the way he generates, he certainly has been missed.”
Odegaard is just less effective without White and Saka. What’s more worrying is that he has gone back to poor form in front of goal. I would have him on shooting practicing relentlessly.
Agree on White and Saka, big losses. Martinelli too, meaning a bigger burden on our captain than previously.
I suspect other teams have analysed what he does and have geared up on that basis, hence the decline over time as above.
To me it looks like “Pep Ball” has been figured out by a lot of teams now. They just play with a wall of defenders and make the odd break that finds all our outfield players in their half, along with Raya on the halfway line.
I blame the scraggly beard.
Losing to that West Ham team was hard to take. League chase over now. It’s about trying to consolidate 2nd now.
And trying to do something in the Champions League, tough but fantastic if it happens.
What I have noticed is that he is afraid to shoot at goal.