They might be taking turns on the injury table, but Arsenal have built a squad bursting with incredible players in recent years.
Whether it’s at the back, in the middle of the park or up top, fitness permitting, Mikel Arteta has an embarrassment of riches to pick from.
In other words, if someone is underperforming, the Spaniard should have a few options at his disposal to replace them, and if they continue to underperform, the player in question could fall further down the pecking order.
This could be what eventually happens with Martin Odegaard, as while his talent is undeniable, the feeling among much of the fanbase is that he’s slowly becoming less integral to the team.
Therefore, it’s less than ideal for him that Arteta has an incredible prospect who is something of a Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze hybrid who could one day end his Arsenal career.
Odegaard’s Arsenal regression
During his first two and a half years at Arsenal, Odegaard showed consistent improvement.
For example, during his loan spell, the Norwegian international racked up two goals and two assists in 20 appearances.
That increased to seven goals and five assists in 40 appearances the following season, and then, in 22/23, he racked up an astounding haul of 15 goals and seven assists in 45 games.
In fact, all 15 of his goals came in the league, which saw him join Cesc FÃ bregas as the only Arsenal midfielders to score so many in a single campaign.
Unfortunately, in the two and a bit seasons since, the former Real Madrid wonderkid has become less influential.
For example, while he actually produced more assists in the 23/24 season, 11, he scored significantly fewer goals, just eight.
Then, partly down to the ankle injury he suffered on international duty, and a general dip in form, the 26-year-old was only able to amass a tally of six goals and 12 assists last season.
|
Odegaard’s Arsenal Record |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
20/21 |
20 |
2 |
2 |
|
21/22 |
40 |
7 |
5 |
|
22/23 |
45 |
15 |
7 |
|
23/24 |
48 |
11 |
12 |
|
24/25 |
45 |
6 |
12 |
|
25/26 |
13 |
0 |
2 |
It was likely this dip in productivity that, at least in part, influenced the club’s decision to sign Eze in the summer.
Injuries for the captain have once again blighted the start of this season, but even so, his return of two assists in 13 appearances is more than a little worrying.
In all, there is undoubtedly every chance that Odegaard gets back to his mercurial best this year, but if he continues to be less influential, he could see his place taken by someone who’s something of a hybrid between Saka & Eze.
The Arsenal gem who could replace Odegaard
Odegaard likely has a couple of years left to get back to his best, but if he doesn’t, Ethan Nwaneri could eventually take his place.
The Hale End dynamo might not be getting the game time he deserves, but his immense talent is practically undeniable, and last season proved as much.
For example, in what was his first consistent taste of senior football, the “unplayable” dynamo, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, scored nine goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes.
|
Nwaneri in 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
10 |
|
Minutes |
427′ |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Goal Involvements per Match |
0.1 |
|
Minutes per Goal Involvement |
427′ |
In other words, the superstar in the making averaged a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or, more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes.
Moreover, he did it playing off the right, covering for the talismanic Saka, and showing some of the same qualities his compatriot has demonstrated over the years, such as his eye for goal.
However, the 18-year-old also shares a lot in common with Eze, including a desire to play in attacking midfield, the ability to carry the ball in tight spaces, and a knack for making something from nothing.
In addition to being comparable to the two England internationals, the youngster is also a fair bit more direct than his captain and competitor for game time.
For example, while Odegaard likes to take plenty of touches and wait for an opening, the Enfield-born gem clearly prefers to drive at defences and either take the shot on himself, as he did in his cameo against Club Brugge, or quickly play a pass to a teammate.
Ultimately, Odegaard is still going to be Arteta’s first choice this season, and probably next year as well.
However, if the Norwegian can’t get his output back to the levels it was a couple of seasons ago, and Nwaneri continues to impress, there is every chance the youngster could one day take his place in the team.
Arteta must bin £40m star who was “Pires-like” in his first years at Arsenal
It’s time for Arteta to take the frustrating Arsenal star out of the team.
