Arsenal secured a hard-fought victory against Athletic Club in the Champions League last night, but the win was far from straightforward without Martin Ødegaard. The Gunners travelled to Spain for the encounter, facing a challenging match in a stadium where either team could have taken control.
Ødegaard’s Absence Felt
Mikel Arteta was without his captain, who had suffered a fresh shoulder injury over the weekend, and Arsenal struggled to maintain their usual creative rhythm. Ødegaard’s influence in midfield is well known, and his absence was immediately apparent as the team lacked the precision and ingenuity that he typically provides. While Arsenal have shown resilience in past games without him, it was clear that having their Norway captain on the pitch could have eased the burden and made attacking play more fluid.
The breakthrough only came when Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli were introduced from the bench. Their contributions led to two goals, securing a 2-0 win for the visitors. Despite the eventual result, the match underscored just how much Arsenal rely on Ødegaard to dictate play and orchestrate attacking movements.
Observations from the Match
Pundit Morten Langli highlighted the impact of Ødegaard’s absence on Arsenal’s performance. He told TV2, “I think we can see that Arsenal miss Martin Ødegaard. They have been awkward offensively.” His comments reflected the general perception that Arsenal struggled to impose themselves in the attacking third, lacking the cohesion and creativity that Ødegaard usually brings to the team.
The match illustrated that Ødegaard is more than just a key player; he is a central figure around whom the team’s attacking strategy revolves. Without him, Arsenal’s ability to break down organised defences is diminished, and their reliance on substitutes to produce goals becomes more pronounced.
While the duration of Ødegaard’s absence remains uncertain, the game demonstrated his significant influence on the squad. Arsenal’s victory may have been secured, but it came with a reminder of just how vital the Norway captain is to the team’s offensive structure and overall success.