Paul Merson has underlined the need for Arsenal to keep Martin Odegaard fit
Paul Merson insists Martin Odegaard is as vital to Arsenal's hopes as Rodri is to Manchester City.
The champions are currently without their Spanish midfielder, who suffered a long-term injury at the start of the season. Rodri remains hugely influential and City's winning percentage drops considerably when the Euro 2024 winner is not present.
Their current struggles have been somewhat attributed to the absence of Rodri as they endure a six game winless run. Arsenal meanwhile looked back to their best in their thumping win over Sporting Lisbon and Odegaard himself has returned to pull the strings.
The Norwegian, who is also the skipper, spent several weeks out and his absence was telling. Arsenal struggles to be as creative in the final third and Odegaard will need to remain fit if Arsenal are to mount a challenge for silverware.
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Merson said on Sky Sports: "A brilliant performance against Sporting Lisbon. Martin Odegaard makes the difference. We talk about Man City and Rodri. It’s the same with Odegaard. Odegaard makes things happen. He knits it together for them. He brings the best out of Bukayo Saka as well – even more out of him – given he is already an amazing player.
" Declan Rice, with Thomas Partey sitting in front of the back four, he can bomb on. They’ve got four very, very good defenders. A good goalkeeper. They’re a good team – but they have got to stay fit. As long as they stay fit, Arsenal will be on a roll."
Odegaard has continued to blossom at Arsenal and continues to provide a steady flow of goals and assists. The Gunners have won two of their three games since their playmaker returned.
Rodri and Martin Odegaard remain crucial figures for their respective teams
City, who have fallen eight points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, are looking to find solutions without Rodri. The Spaniard has marshalled their midfield and has claimed he wants to be back before the season ends.
He told The Rest Is Football podcast: "My target is to come back this season. I don't give up on this season, [but] I don't want to make any mistakes. My target is six or seven months. I am doing much better than I thought. I am enjoying the rest, if it possible to say it that way."
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