Arsenal have been without Martin Odegaard for several weeks but in his absence Eberechi Eze has excelled - leaving the Norwegian with a daunting task if he wants to regain his spot
Martin Odegaard is closing in on a return to full fitness
Martin Odegaard is closing in on a return to full fitness
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Former Arsenal ace Theo Walcott believes Martin Odegaard will have watched on with concern as Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick in the north London derby - but his exploits will have been much needed a "kick up the backside" for the skipper.
Odegaard just missed out on Sunday's win due to an injury that has kept him out of action since October. The playmaker is closing in on full fitness and will be in contention to play sooner rather than later, but has seen others thrive in his absence.
Without Odegaard, Mikel Arteta has turned to Eze to be the creative force in his attack with the summer signing delivering. The Norwegian was in attendance to see Arsenal destroy their rivals and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Emirates was jumping but Walcott claimed Odegaard will have watched on and known that, despite being a regular for years, his spot is no longer guaranteed with some stellar alternatives now available to Arteta.
He said on It's Called Soccer on The Overlap US: "What was really nice to see is when you have a bench celebrating that much as well. They're all on the same page, they are, however, deep down, Martin Odegaard will be thinking: 'Oh, this is tough!'"
Odegaard has finally realised his potential whilst at Arsenal having faltered at Real Madrid, whom he joined as a teenager. Last season was his worst return in terms of goals, scoring just three times in the Premier League, with Eze now providing the competition that he needs.
Walcott claimed: "Sometimes you become a better player when you're injured sometimes, when you're losing games. But at this moment in time, he's becoming a worse player. And you can't forget how good Odegaard is, and that's the mad truth, but we'll see a side of Odegaard we've not seen.
Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick for Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday
Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick for Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday
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"I think he's needed this kick up the backside, I'll be brutally honest. It will be brilliant for him because it's happened to Trossard and all of a sudden Trossard is someone different now so I think it'll do him good. Everyone is getting pushed right now at Arsenal now and we're in a good place, a better place, an incredible place."
Arsenal have gradually built their squad over recent years but their latest wave of recruitment saw them add notable quality. Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres arrived to bolster a frontline that already included the likes of Saka, Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
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