Arsenal’s turbulent season has left them with only one remaining alternative for silverware: the Champions League. Because the Gunners gear up for a vital quarter-final conflict in opposition to Actual Madrid, their marketing campaign hangs within the steadiness.
At present sitting 15 factors behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and already eradicated from each home cup competitions, Arsenal have struggled to seek out consistency.
Accidents to key gamers and the absence of a dependable objective scorer have additional derailed their title problem.
Amid Arsenal’s inconsistent kind, membership captain Martin Odegaard has confronted criticism for his current performances.
Nonetheless, journalist Charles Watts has come to the Norwegian’s defence, arguing that a number of the backlash has been overly harsh.
Watts: Criticism of Martin Odegaard is unfair
Whereas Watts acknowledged that Odegaard has not fairly matched the excessive requirements he set in earlier seasons, he emphasised that exterior elements have contributed to his dip in kind.
One of many key points has been the disruption on the precise facet of Arsenal’s assault. The absence of Bukayo Saka and Ben White, two gamers with whom Odegaard has developed a robust understanding, has pressured the playmaker to adapt to completely different teammates.
Moreover, the Norwegian remains to be recovering from his first main harm, having returned to motion sooner than anticipated. As Arsenal’s principal inventive pressure, the 26-year-old carries the burden of main the staff’s attacking play. When these round him are struggling, it turns into even more durable for him to affect video games as successfully as earlier than.
Talking solely to CaughtOffside in The Day by day Briefing, Watts shared his ideas on the criticism surrounding Odegaard:
“I’ll be trustworthy, I simply can’t get my head round a variety of the criticism Martin Odegaard has been getting of late.
“It’s definitely truthful to criticise a few of his performances as a result of, as he admits himself, he hasn’t been ok in comparison with the lofty requirements he has set over the previous couple of years.
“However a number of the criticism has gone means past that. Has he been off color? Sure. Has he been terrible? Completely not.
“While you assess Odegaard’s kind you must think about a little bit of context.
“The correct hand facet of the assault that he has change into so accustomed to and profitable with has been completely decimated.
“Odegaard has been voted Arsenal’s participant of the season for every of the previous two seasons, deservedly in order nicely. He’s struggled to keep up that kind this season however any discuss of him being changed at this stage is simply ridiculous.
“I’m satisfied we’ll see him again to his greatest quickly.”
Arsenal have eyes set on Champions League glory as final hope of silverware
Regardless of the criticism, Odegaard has nonetheless contributed 5 targets and 7 assists in 31 appearances throughout all competitions this season.
With the Premier League title seemingly out of attain, Arsenal will now flip their consideration to European success. They cruised previous PSV bating them 9-3 on combination to advance into the quarter-finals.
Their subsequent take a look at can be in opposition to the European giants and kings of the competitors Actual Madrid, which can function a major homecoming for Odegaard on the Santiago Bernabéu.
As Arsenal’s captain and inventive lynchpin, he can be beneath immense strain to ship on the most important stage.
He confirmed what he’s able to in opposition to PSV throughout their 7-1 win final week, as he placed on a world-class efficiency which left Chris Sutton in awe.
If he can rediscover his greatest kind, it may very well be the spark Arsenal must hold their Champions League goals alive.
