West Ham vs Arsenal Preview: Why Odegaard's return has Gunners firing once again
Football is a team sport, so it’s often unfair to suggest one individual makes all the difference - but in Arsenal and Martin Odegaard’s case, it may actually be true.
The team endured a two-month existential crisis in his absence, enforced by a nasty ankle injury sustained on international duty. Without him, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta withdrew tightly into their shells, setting out in a pretty morbid-looking 4-4-2 shape that presented itself as overly defensive and cautious.
The results soon dipped - albeit with red cards to William Saliba and Leandro Trossard playing a part over this period too - making his return against Chelsea a moment to celebrate. He immediately set about making a difference, somehow matching the intensity of the Blues despite his lengthy absence, providing one assist and four key passes; no one else on the pitch made more than two.
Odegaard was back, but also; Arsenal were back.
Much to the fans’ relief, the Nottingham Forest game was a complete and utter return to normality. Odegaard set up a goal for Bukayo Saka as the Gunners cantered to a 3-0 victory, averaging 66% possession and limiting a strong, upstart Forest side to just 0.3 xG. It was dominance.
Then on Tuesday night against Sporting CP, against Viktor Gyokeres, at the vaunted Estadio Jose Alvalade, Arsenal delivered the best half of football they’ve played all season, taking a 3-0 lead into half-time. At the heart of it all was Odegaard, who racked up 63 touches, 48 passes and 9.9% of the total possession of the ball.
The second half saw him win the penalty Saka converted, as he charged into the box with the ball and was scythed down by the desperate Ousmane Diomande. His ability to move the ball into the final third with precision and care, slow the game when it needed it, and rejuvenate the usually excellent right-sided combinations made Arsenal the slick force we’ve come to expect.
Some may question how on earth a single player can make such a difference to such a good overall team, but then again, we’re currently living in a period of time where Manchester City can’t win a game because their own star midfielder, Rodri, is sidelined.
It all paints last season’s statistics in an ever-clearer, more stark light.
Odegaard led the Premier League for passes into the box last season (152), with the next closest at 103. He was responsible for the most shot-creating actions in the league despite not hogging set pieces. He tallied up the most progressive passes among Arsenal players, second only to Rodri in the league. He’s the captain, a more vocal and inspiring leader than perhaps people recognise, and very often steps up during difficult moments in games.
Perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised at what happened to Arsenal during a spell without him? He makes them better in every phase because he’s involved in every phase: chance creation, ball progression, possession, pressing, defensive security and more.
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Arsenal feel an imperious side once again. If Odegaard stays fit, it stands to reason they can string together a run of wins - starting at West Ham this weekend - that vaults them firmly back towards the top of the table, clear of teams like Brighton, Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa.
The big question is whether the corresponding drop-off from Liverpool - a whopping nine points ahead of them right now - that would need to happen to put Arsenal back in title contention, happens. All Arsenal, and Odegaard, can do is take it one game at a time from here.
