Arsenal captain’s form raises concerns as attack struggles | OneFootball

Odegaard’s Form Raises Questions as Arsenal’s Attack Falters

After Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham, it was their captain, Martin Odegaard, who stepped forward to face the cameras. His words were honest and measured, reflecting the frustration of a team struggling to find their rhythm.

But while Arsenal’s injury list has undoubtedly played a role in their recent struggles, Odegaard’s own form has not been immune from scrutiny. Once the heartbeat of Mikel Arteta’s midfield, he now finds himself under pressure to rediscover his influence at a time when Arsenal need him most.

Photo: IMAGO

Drop-Off in Output Raises Concern

It was only a few months ago that Odegaard’s return to the starting XI was heralded as a game-changer. After six weeks out, he slotted back into the team in November and looked as sharp as ever. Arteta was full of praise, marvelling at how his captain had seamlessly reintegrated.

For a while, the numbers backed it up. Between that Chelsea match on November 10 and Bukayo Saka’s injury on December 21, Arsenal looked fluid and dangerous, scoring 28 goals in 10 games. Odegaard was instrumental, registering either a goal or an assist in his first four games back.

Photo: IMAGO

Yet since that blistering return, his output has tailed off significantly. In his last 12 Premier League matches, he has managed just one goal and one assist. Across the season, his two goals and three assists in 18 league appearances are well below the standards he set last term.

This is a stark contrast to 2022-23, when he hit 15 goals in 45 appearances, a return that always seemed difficult to sustain. However, this season, he isn’t just scoring less—he’s also creating fewer clear-cut chances.

Arsenal’s System Is Hurting Odegaard

Arteta has denied that there has been any significant tactical shift affecting Odegaard’s performances.

But something clearly isn’t quite right. While his underlying creative statistics remain solid, his influence on matches has waned.

One factor may be the absence of key teammates. Arsenal’s right-sided triangle of Odegaard, Saka, and Ben White has been one of the defining features of their attacking play in recent seasons.

With Saka missing and White absent for long periods, Arsenal have struggled to replicate their usual patterns of play. Without Saka’s movement and White’s overlapping runs, Odegaard has lacked the supporting cast that makes his game tick.

Fatigue and Arsenal’s Over-Reliance on Their Captain

Odegaard’s lack of rotation is another issue. Injuries elsewhere in the squad have left Arsenal over-reliant on their captain, forcing him to play more minutes than might be ideal.

His initial return from injury disguised the long-term impact of his layoff, but fatigue could now be creeping in. Arsenal’s failure to manage his minutes has left them vulnerable, particularly in a season where their creative options have been limited.

The summer transfer window only added to the issue. Arsenal allowed Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe to leave, replacing them with Mikel Merino, a more functional midfielder. Ethan Nwaneri was considered an understudy for Odegaard, but with Saka out injured, he has been forced to cover on the wing.

Photo IMAGO

This means all creative responsibility has fallen on Odegaard. And without the movement of Saka or the energy of White, his ability to impact games has been diminished.

Does Arsenal’s Attack Need a Rebuild?

Despite his struggles, Odegaard remains Arsenal’s creative focal point. Even in the defeat to West Ham, he created four chances from open play, the joint-most in the Premier League that weekend.

But the broader issue remains—who creates for the creator? Without a natural centre-forward consistently making runs behind, Odegaard has fewer passing options.

Gabriel Jesus, for all his strengths, is not a natural goal poacher, and Kai Havertz has yet to fully settle in the number nine role. Gabriel Martinelli and Saka have been the most consistent runners in behind, but without them, Odegaard’s opportunities to influence the game are reduced.

His role has evolved—perhaps not tactically, but by necessity. Instead of being Arsenal’s primary creative force, he is being forced into deeper positions, working harder to compensate for gaps elsewhere.

Arsenal’s longest unbeaten run under Arteta (15 matches) coincided with Odegaard’s return from injury, which is proof enough of his importance. But in the final third, Arsenal must find a way to restore his impact.