Odegaard is back: 94.1% pass completion percentage and one assist

Arsenal are failing to give full continuity to the Premier League title race that has characterised their last few seasons. They sit nine points behind Arne Slot's Liverpool with the only consolation that Manchester City, four points further back, are also struggling. Injuries explain the slump of the two title contenders from the previous campaign, but in the case of the Gunners, the issue is even more specific: it revolves around the figure of Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian picked up an injury in the UEFA Nations League international against Austria on 9th September. Since then, the London side have had some pronounced slumps, including a 2-0 defeat to Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth and a 1-0 loss to Newcastle. The 1-0 defeat in Italy against Inter Milan, in which the midfielder played a few minutes, is more in line with the 'Nerazzurri's great form than the 'Gunner's absence.

On Sunday, when the Emirates Stadium outfit visited Stamford Bridge, the key man in the team's midfield once again started and lived up to expectations. He delivered 34 passes with a 94.1 per cent success rate, or 32 correct link-ups. One of them was the assist for Gabriel Martinelli's goal in the 60th minute, the genesis of which was precisely a move created by the No 8.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, Pedro Neto scored soon after to seal a draw, which would prove to be final. Still, Odegaard gave Mikel Arteta cause for hope as he heads into the next few games knowing he can count on his starting place. 

 

November 10, 2024