"Although Arsenal defeated a solid Brighton side 1-0 behind another stalwart defensive performance from the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes and now Piero Hincapie, there was something missing about the team's overall performance on the ball. The quality of passing, the comfort on the ball was lacking, and while a lot of that is down to the fatigue of star midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice at the base of the midfield formation, it is becoming obvious that Arsenal just are not the same without Odegaard dictating play."
"That should have always been obvious, to be honest, but because Odegaard is such a classy No. 10 in the attacking third, his ability to keep the team's tempo, which is an ability he always had dating back to Real Sociedad, is often overlooked. Arsenal do not tick over without Odegaard making himself available, hitting those dinked passes between forwards and asking for the ball in tight spaces."
Martin Odegaard, Arsenal's captain, has been hampered by injuries this season, appearing in only 13 starts. Despite limited availability, he has contributed five assists in the Premier League. Arsenal's recent 1-0 victory over Brighton showcased strong defense but revealed deficiencies in midfield control and passing quality. The absence of Odegaard's playmaking ability and tempo control became evident, as the team lacked comfort on the ball. While fatigue affected midfielders Zubimendi and Rice, Odegaard's unique skill in dictating play through precise passing and positioning is crucial to Arsenal's overall performance. His return will significantly enhance the team's dominance.
Read at Yardbarker
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