Arsenal's best title challenges have come with Martin Odegaard at the heart of the team but he will be missing as they travel to basement boys Wolves tonight
Martin Odegaard is vital for Arsenal(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Martin Odegaard has been such a big miss for Arsenal. His quality makes him one of the very best midfielders of his type in the Premier League.
And his leadership sets him apart as being absolutely vital for Arsenal ’s title push for the rest of the season. His return cannot come soon enough.
What gets slightly lost is that it has been a stop-start time for Arsenal’s captain because of injury.
Maybe that has sewn a seed of doubt in his mind when it comes to tackles and challenges because he has suffered injuries to his knee, shoulder and ankle in the past couple of seasons.
But now Arsenal really need him to step up and, at the same time, the fan base will quickly remember what a fantastic player he is.
Arsenal’s recent title challenges have been at their best when Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz have formed a trio as an attacking force.
When any one of those three players have been missing, it has left a gaping hole in terms of quality and class. It really is that simple. They set the tone. They are on the same wavelength. There is a telepathic-like understanding and they also all ooze quality.
Havertz has missed a huge chunk of the past year. Saka missed three months of last season. And Odegaard has also missed games through injury.
Saka’s return was huge. Havertz is a top quality forward and his touch, technique and ability elevates Arsenal’s attacking line to a different level.
Declan Rice is clearly a brilliant player and a marauding midfielder. He wears his heart on his sleeve and his actions on the pitch make it easy to see why so many people think he would be a great captain.
Martin Odegaard
Captain Marvel Martin Odegaard(Image: Getty Images)
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But Odegaard has the respect of his team mates. The Norway captain at his best sets the tone and leads the press.
You got a glimpse of that when Odegaard came on at Brentford last week. He was energetic, took the game by the scruff of the neck and got Arsenal in the groove.
That is the difference he makes. And now he must step up again. His passing, energy and quality makes him such a key figure and player for Arsenal.
They have missed Odegaard - and continue to do so - so much. Arsenal have been at their best in the past three seasons when Odegaard has been at his best.
Now is the time for a few players to really step up. This is a huge week. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has ruled Odegaard out of Wolves but his influence as captain can still be influential.
And Odegaard as captain and player will be even more important in the weeks ahead. If Arsenal are to win big this season, they will need him at his best because there are very few better.
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