Martin Ødegaard: El Capitanø Incognito

[tap-in]

This will perform about as well as the Melania movie.

Is a modern leader someone who plays no part in the team whatsoever?

 

[Moe Szyslak]

Has deservedly copped a lot of flack this season, but we are missing him. Think he helps a lot with our ball progression. I hope he can get fit, I sense he will be an important cog for us in the run in. Even if just for an extra option.

 

[HollandGooner]

When will he be back? so many injuries this season.

 

[Kjipt]

I know this probably comes from some built-in bias towards my fellow Norwegian, who without a doubt, has been below par overall when he’s featured this season.


But looking at how the midfield has been performing lately and not recognising that there’s an Ødegaard-shaped hole there is strange to me.


Do I wish he would grab more games by the scruff of the neck and dominate them like prime Cazorla? Of course. But the modern game is incredibly physically demanding, and the way Ødegaard controls both the tempo of play and the pressing is really something.


We really need him back, and sooner rather than later.


Even most of his critics probably want him back at this point, especially considering we’ve got five home games coming up against what you could describe as “weaker” teams. Those are exactly the kind of matches where Ødegaard, even on an off day, still plays an important role for us.

 

[Riou]

My boy Martin lifting the Prem this year like...

 

[Sapient Hawk]

Our ball retention has suffered with his absence. I like him as a player when his head's switched on, but he is NOT fit to be a captain.

It should be stripped off him & given to Gabriel.

 

[Red London]

Need him back as an option asap.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Ødegaard not called by Norway in upcoming international break.

good news for we need him to fully recover for final part of season

 

[Rasmi]

Ødegaard not called by Norway in upcoming international break.

good news for we need him to fully recover for final part of season

Means he’s out of the cup

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Means he’s out of the cup

even if he was fit likely won't be playing more than 15 minutes.

 

[Tourbillion]

He's been so utterly pointless for two years now.

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

Thankfully not a single sane person has been missing him.

 

[Kjipt]

Ødegaard not called by Norway in upcoming international break.

good news for we need him to fully recover for final part of season

You need to add some context to this. What Ståle said was:

«Er det sånn at han kommer inn i den ligacupfinaletroppen, tar vi en ny vurdering, sier Solbakken om landslagskapteinen og sikter til Arsenals finale mot Manchester City kommende helg.»

Which roughly translates to “if he is in the squad for the final, we will do another evaluation”.

He also added later in the interview that even if he is in the squad for the final, he might not get called up because Ståle believes Martin needs to get hours on the training ground, and that will be beneficial for Norway in the long run. Ståle has his eyes set on the World Cup, not friendlies in march.

Haaland is also given time off btw.

 

[UpTheGunnerz]

Miss him so much

 

[Rasmi]

Thankfully not a single sane person has been missing him.

I have missed him dearly. Leverkusen wouldn’t have 70% possession second half with him around

 

[hydrofluoric acid]

I have missed him dearly. Leverkusen wouldn’t have 70% possession second half with him around

You are just proving my point.

 

[Rasmi]

You are just proving my point.

@UpTheGunnerz shares my view so I’m not crazy

 

[UpTheGunnerz]

AM think it’s fair to bully Martin just because he’s a blonde rich kid from a privileged background. Sad state of affairs! Me and Rasmi see through this charade

 

[HollandGooner]

What is happening to him? he is our captain we need him back.

 

[bastun]

I have missed him dearly. Leverkusen wouldn’t have 70% possession second half with him around

What do you think would have happened with him on the pitch lol. Ødegaard gets dispossessed off the ball the most in this team. Especially if you find him between the lines and there is a defender on his back. 100% a lost ball and a counterattack.