Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard could be facing an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium this summer, as pundits question his influence under Mikel Arteta.
Since joining Arsenal from Real Madrid for £30 million in 2021, Odegaard has been one of the club’s standout performers, making over 200 appearances. However, his importance in Arteta’s squad has noticeably declined over the past 18 months, reports alldaysport.net
The Norway international scored just three Premier League goals last season and has struggled again this campaign, starting fewer than half of Arsenal’s matches. While injuries have played a part in his reduced role, critics also point to a dip in form.
Even when fit, Odegaard has often been left on the bench, particularly since Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze for £67.5 million last summer. Eze has made an immediate impact, including scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham this weekend and adding a hat-trick in the earlier clash in November.
In contrast, Odegaard appeared only as a late substitute in the derby, highlighting his diminished status in the squad. Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol and ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf have both suggested that Odegaard may need to consider leaving the club.
Asked about Odegaard’s role for the rest of the season, Nicol told ESPN:
“Odegaard might be leaving Arsenal. If you’re Odegaard, the club captain and 18 months ago you were the guy. All of a sudden – and I know he’s had some injuries – but there’s question marks over whether he actually starts because of Eze. And maybe because of the way he’s been playing, someone else might get ahead of him as well. So if you’re Martin Odegaard, do you stick around? I don’t think you do.”
Leboeuf added:
“I agree, I agree. I’ve always liked Martin Odegaard and the way he plays because he’s very elegant, but he’s not influential anymore. He’s there to start the action, to distribute the ball horizontally. But with Eze right now the moves are not the same, he’s more vertical, more influential and he’s going to help [Viktor] Gyokeres too. So it will be a hard time for Odegaard and he will have to make a very good choice, a big choice, at the end of the season.”
Arsenal’s dominant derby win sent the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Arteta praised Eze’s performance after the match, highlighting his determination and attitude.
“He has scored five goals in the last two games against Tottenham, which is extremely difficult to do, but I could see that he wanted to prove something,” Arteta said.
“He was upset, even with me, because I didn’t play him in the other day from the beginning and some of the decisions that I made. And I start to understand how we’re going to get the best out of him now. He had that belief and I’m really happy with him. He’s really trying to mould and adapt into what we want from him. You just have to look at his face and the way he was in the dressing room and with that big smile and his eyes are just expressing everything that you need. He came here for a reason and we need those moments from these players. I think him and the front players today, I think they’ve done what we expect from them.”
Arsenal now face another big test this weekend against Chelsea, the current Club World Cup holders. Arteta is aiming to become the first Arsenal manager since Arsene Wenger in 2004 to lift the Premier League trophy.
With Eze’s rise and Odegaard’s diminishing influence, the Norway international could face a pivotal decision about his future at Arsenal this summer./ALLDAYSPORT/
