Martin Ødegaard: El Capitanø Incognito

[blaze_of_glory]

I don't see Ødegaard as a box to box tbh. Yes he drops deep to build up play, but that feels kind of pointless more often than not when we already have Zubimendi.
And when does Ødegaard ever win the ball in our own half? His defensive game is too weak to classify him as a box to box player.

For me he's a 10 who occasionally drops deep into a DLP role. But as I said, we don't really need that from him.

The guy both leads the press, is the focal point when in possession in the final third, and drops back to start play and bring the ball through the midfield (one of his biggest strengths). I don't know how much more box a player can get really.

It's actually wild how poorly this place rates the captain of the best Arsenal team in a generation lol. Somehow we're at this level in spite of the guy who has been leading the team during this entire project. Ok.

 

[Thrice]

The guy both leads the press, is the focal point when in possession in the final third, and drops back to start play and bring the ball through the midfield (one of his biggest strengths). I don't know how much more box a player can get really.

It's actually wild how poorly this place rates the captain of the best Arsenal team in a generation lol. Somehow we're at this level in spite of the guy who has been leading the team during this entire project. Ok.

"Leading the team" is a bit of a stretch just because he wears the armband.
I don't question his pressing. He's showing willingness to suffer in that regard.
Bringing the ball through midfield is fine and all, but not that hard when most of our opponents sit deep in their half anyway.
And if he didn't slow us down all the time I would applaud him for being the focal point in possession in the final third.

I'm not quite saying we're successful in spite of him, but he's far from carrying us.

 

[1macca1]

Picking him to score this weekend.

 

[Legend14]

Regardless of the reality that this player isn’t as good as before, we still need to win. So if he starts, he better perform at his best level. He is fully capable of a good match. No more 0-0 draws.

 

[Mrs Bergkamp]

The guy both leads the press, is the focal point when in possession in the final third, and drops back to start play and bring the ball through the midfield (one of his biggest strengths). I don't know how much more box a player can get really.

It's actually wild how poorly this place rates the captain of the best Arsenal team in a generation lol. Somehow we're at this level in spite of the guy who has been leading the team during this entire project. Ok.

The criticism comes because he's deployed in a way that doesn't play to his strengths and because of how slow he builds up. The former is down to the manager but he's looked better when he's not dropped as deep and played aggressively. He loses the ball very easily, has no recovery pace and doesn't need to drop quite so deep when Zubi and the entire back 4 can play out from the back. He needs to be more incisive. All the criticism he's getting is the similar to that which Özil received and Ode needs to play his current game with more oomph and tenacity. He and the whole team aren't an easy watch in the PL but he's being overshadowed by his MF team mates and there isn't the same level of anxiety when he's missing compared to Saliba, Gabi, Raya or Saka. That's a bit telling. Something is off and has been for a while.

 

[Trilly]

Is there another fanbase that sh*ts on their own players this much even when they're top of everything? The Ødegaard hate is just over the top at this point, he's the captain for a reason.

Could be because a guy who was being talked about as the best 10 in a league where prime Bruno Fernandes and KDB was playing hasn’t had a consistent 2 months of good performances in like two years.

The bar is higher for Ødegaard as it should be.

 

[viktor]

Please perform akhi. They're saying Bruno is better than you. They’re calling you a vegan. They're calling you wet. They're saying Nwaneri is better than you. They’re saying Anderson emasculated you. They're saying Beth Mead has more XY chromosomes than you. They're saying Rice should take the armband from. Martin Ødegaard, how will you respond?

and i also saying Ødegaard is parasite in this club

 

[merciarsene]

and i also saying Ødegaard is parasite in this club

Well said. This is the type of analysis A-M is famous for.

He isnt a 10 as he cant take responsibility to create from the centre but passes it on to Saka and drifts right.. He isnt an 8 because he cant tackle or stop the opposition running through. He cant compete for aerial balls and he cant outmuscle anyone. He gets injured everytime he tries to tackle or jump for the ball.


What he is, is a process guy, a processor. Makes the system work. Ensures we play in a measured steady way by his constant roaming and recycling.

 

[BigPoppaPump]

Could be because a guy who was being talked about as the best 10 in a league where prime Bruno Fernandes and KDB was playing hasn’t had a consistent 2 months of good performances in like two years.

The bar is higher for Ødegaard as it should be.

Bruno Fernandes is awful, if that's the standards Ødegaard has cleared it already.

 

[Trilly]

please stop trying to put this guy in the category of players who can’t be criticised please.

Guy is regularly getting subbed early these days.

 

[Trilly]

Bruno Fernandes is awful, if that's the standards Ødegaard has cleared it already.

Aged like absolute milk this.

 

[BigPoppaPump]

Aged like absolute milk this.

Ødegaard has been better than Bruno in this game though, not sure why you rate United players so highly.

 

[Fallout]

Dont think he will rediscover the magic he once had

At least not consistently

Not sure what the options would be for replacement across world football, but surely there are others who can offer more than secure possession in that role

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

I told yesterday... He can't step up.... This guy can't be our captain

 

[MikelHadADream]

We couldn’t keep the ball in the final third when he went off. He was no worse than Saka and had a big hand in the goal.

 

[Rasmi]

We couldn’t keep the ball in the final third when he went off. He was no worse than Saka and had a big hand in the goal.

People don’t want to admit it. But subbing him was a mistake. Without him we can’t keep the ball

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

People don’t want to admit it. But subbing him was a mistake. Without him we can’t keep the ball

ITs always one of Zubi and Ødegaard. not both... But Arteta is so stupid... mistake from mistake

 

[Rasmi]

ITs always one of Zubi and Ødegaard. not both... But Arteta is so stupid... mistake from mistake

Yeah when I saw both go off for merino in midfield I knew he sacrificed the midfield for a goal. He got the goal but nothing else

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

Yeah when I saw both go off for merino in midfield I knew he sacrificed the midfield for a goal. He got the goal but nothing else

When we dont need to control the game.... Arteta will do it over than we need with both (Ode and Zubi). And when we need he get both off ..

 

[RunTheTrap]

Please perform akhi. They're saying Bruno is better than you. They’re calling you a vegan. They're calling you wet. They're saying Nwaneri is better than you. They’re saying Anderson emasculated you. They're saying Beth Mead has more XY chromosomes than you. They're saying Rice should take the armband from. Martin Ødegaard, how will you respond?

They were right.