Odegaard
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Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has sparked debate among Arsenal supporters after suggesting that captain Martin Odegaard could be feeling the pressure to keep his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, despite his status as team leader.
Speaking in the aftermath of Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Leeds United, where new signing Viktor Gyokeres made headlines with a home-debut brace, Redknapp pointed to the Gunners’ growing midfield depth as a potential challenge for Odegaard.
“Odegaard’s a fantastic player and leader, no question,” Redknapp said. “But with the options Arsenal have now, he might be a little worried about his place, captain or not. The competition is fierce, and Arteta’s shown he’s not afraid to make tough calls.”
READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres reveals one disappointment despite scoring twice against Leeds United
Odegaard, who joined permanently from Real Madrid in 2021, has been instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence, captaining the team with distinction and providing creativity and vision from midfield.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze was officially presented to the Arsenal fans on Saturday (Image credit: Getty Images)
However, with the arrivals of players like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, as well as the emergence of versatile attacking options, Arteta now has a wealth of choices at his disposal.
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While Odegaard featured prominently in the win over Leeds, his shoulder injury against Leeds may well open up an opportunity for Eze.
For Arteta, that competition is by design. The Spaniard has repeatedly stressed the importance of squad depth to sustain Arsenal’s push for silverware across multiple fronts this season.
Arsenal’s attacking depth was on full display against Leeds, with Gyokeres’ clinical finishing complemented by the team’s relentless pressing. And although Odegaard remains central to Arteta’s vision, Redknapp’s remarks serve as a reminder that no player is immune from the pressures of competition in a squad built to challenge at the very highest level.
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