The Weird Way Arsenal Have To Play Without Martin Odegaard

With their talisman out for the foreseeable, Arsenal must mount their latest Premier League (and Champions League) challenge without Martin Odegaard. Both the Tottenham and Atalanta games saw a very different approach, but Adam Clery takes a look at what Mikel Arteta is attempting and shows why this is more about how they're changing than how they're struggling.

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[akech]

people dont understand that theyre gonna be forced to evolve tactically after losing odegaard. still finding footing but they look solid

[grantdixon]

Seeing how good Calafiori is at interceptions, driving forward with the ball, finding space and passing. I wonder if he could be utilised to compensate in some way for Odegarrd's absence.

[jsbach]

I always tell people I'm better than I look

[harveyphilip]

Sensational video man! Scored another fantastic goal from set piece against city but just couldn't get the win. But the way they defend set pieces are also commendable and Raya plays a huge role.

[kigenkzadock]

I like the fact you talked about why Arsenal didnt go for a striker

[cdchai]

I honestly think Zinchenko would be in Odegaard's role if he wasn't injured. With Vierra gone, it's either him or Gabriel that would have subbed for Odegaard in a game. We wouldn't have to worry about Zinchenko's defensive shortcomings in that right-8 position as much and he could still play a killer ball.

[simeonlow]

Poetry requested:
Arsenal wear red
City wear blue
No Martin Odegaard
Means we’re in the poo.

Good video, fair assessment and I agree we were one decent finish away from a big win against a side that battered LFC and Leverkusen. It’s what we did at City last year, if Trossard had seen the ball to Martinelli with about 10 mins left he’d have had the chance to win it for us. I don’t hold out much hope of a win at the Etihad but I just don’t want the game swung on some nonsense onfield officiating or ridiculous VAR call. Love how fans of other teams hate when you talk about how good our manager is.😂

[heritagetutorials]

you are one of the finest analyst have seen, keep it up man !!!

[harrydavies]

The way that Odegaars takes the ball in front of defenders, then with one touch hes broken the lines, is so underrated. I remember when people moaned when we signed him but within 1 season he showed why hes so integral to us. Hopefully we struggle through til hes back, nicking wins and then when hes back we ramp up and destroy teams!

[letlotlotreasurerakumakoe]

I learn a lot of " how to look/watch at the game. Thank you Adam.

[aussie_t]

All I’ll say is that if we are still in and around the title come November, it’s going to be a massive boost mentally when he’s back.

[saurabhahlawat]

I think Calafiori is that un-pressable 2nd guy who can play in pockets (after Odegaard). He did more for our buildup in 20 minutes than Timber did in 70. Nothing against Timber, I love his versatility but his best position is RB (allows him to properly overlap) and White should be rested because he's looked mediocre in the last 2 games after the international break.

Hopefully we see a partnership sometime soon.

[andyalvarez]

I'd argue that even with Odegaard in the team, a strong striker would do Arsenal a world of good. Having someone in the mold of Isak/Gyokeres/Osimhen up top and a midfield of Rice, Odegaard, Havertz would significantly improve them.

[VRed]

Great analysis, Clery. Well done.
Odegaard is irreplaceable in Arsenal's current system. The only viable solution seems to be altering the formation and style of play, which Arteta has been handling quite well. However, such adjustments could come at a cost. That's why I was surprised to see Vieira go out on loan and Smith Rowe sold, as they were our closest alternatives to Odegaard.

Our remaining, albeit risky, options include:
- Playing Nathan Nwaneri in Odegaard’s role.
- Deploying Jorginho, Partey, and Rice together in midfield.
- Shifting to a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Partey or Jorginho as 4, Rice and Jesus in the middle and Kai as the midfielder at the front. The remaining two will be two of Trossard, Saka and Martinelli. Kai is very good at gaining aerial duels. We need him at the middle upfront now than ever.

[Arazorblade]

Odegard has been so injury resistant and has played almost all the games at Arsenal since his arrival . We have taken His availability and his ever presence as granted. His performance never dropped like Saka in second half last year even though he played same number of games. Never stops running, leads our press, makes threading passes, is the engine of the team who leads at pitch by example. Now that he is injured, our offence has fallen through the cliff . Our defence is keeping us alive and set pieces and corners are our only hope in big games.

[APoxOnNordStream]

Even though I rejoice in the fact that Arsenal have learned how to defend properly again under Arteta, I think the really remarkable thing about the Atalanta game was how it made Saed Kolasinac look like a good player, when I think about how poor he was in his latter days at Arsenal. Good as Odegaard is, the manager really should be able to find a way to get the team on the ball even when he's not in the team. I'm sure he will.. well yeah he will, maybe after the City game.

[karlyoung]

Thanks, Adam, for another great explanation of why Odegaard is so vital to the style of football Arsenal play.

[aokaparagit]

What is most unfortunate is Zincheko's injured too. If he can get back on time, he'll play the Odegaard role. People keep on forgetting Zinny

[Eversogladucame]

Arteta needs to give Nwaneri a run of starts. Just such a tough schedule of games to do it in. I get the sense that Arteta is worried about destroying the kid's confidence if the games don't go our way

[Oliver_Evans]

**Manifesting a 442 Gravenberch video**