Ødegaard, Where Are You?! Arsenal Captain Goes Missing

"It's no time to feel sorry for ourselves—we have to keep going," urged Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after his underwhelming display in their shock 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday. "There are still many games to be played, and we have to keep going. The main thing now is to win the next one and work from there."

The Gunners squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, who had dropped points at Aston Villa in midweek. Instead, the eight-point deficit remained and was stretched to 11 just over a day later when Arne Slot's side secured a 2-0 win at Manchester City—something Mikel Arteta has yet to achieve.

At the Emirates, Arsenal failed to trouble a well-drilled West Ham side led by Graham Potter, who claimed his first signature victory since taking charge. While the club’s ongoing injury crisis has undoubtedly played a role in their struggles, managing just two shots on target from 20 attempts and an expected goals tally barely over one—even with a man disadvantage for the final 25 minutes—was a damning reflection of their attacking inefficiency.

This season, Arsenal have struggled to replicate the attacking prowess of their past two campaigns. Given Bukayo Saka’s absence since December—his immense workload perhaps underrated by many outside the club—it’s not entirely surprising. The winger isn’t expected back until late March, leaving a significant creative void.

However, Odegaard’s underwhelming performances have gone largely unnoticed in contrast to Saka’s brilliance. This writer had previously voted for the Norwegian as the FWA Men’s Footballer of the Year for 2023-24, but his impact this season has been far from that level. Had he been even half as influential as last year, Arsenal might still be in realistic contention for the title. While no player in red and white impressed against West Ham, their captain and chief playmaker was particularly off the pace.

Title hopes over?

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Wednesday had presented Arsenal with a golden opportunity. A win over West Ham would have moved Mikel Arteta’s side within five points of top spot, level on games played, with a crucial trip to Anfield still to come.

Last weekend’s dramatic 2-0 victory at Leicester City—sealed by a brace from makeshift striker Mikel Merino in what proved to be a tactical masterstroke—should have provided the spark for another title charge. But whatever momentum Arsenal gained from that result quickly faded.

Merino was trusted to lead the line again after his heroics at the King Power Stadium, and to his credit, he showed plenty of energy in the opening exchanges. That, however, was as good as it got for him and Arsenal. Too often, his teammates hesitated—reluctant to thread the needle, deliver crosses, or take on their man.

West Ham fully deserved their win because, unlike the hosts, they attacked with intent when given the chance. Aaron Wan-Bissaka—yet another player thriving after leaving Manchester United—tormented Riccardo Calafiori before the Italian was substituted. Meanwhile, the strike partnership of Mohammed Kudus and goalscorer Jarrod Bowen proved highly effective. Graham Potter’s side defended resolutely to frustrate Arsenal, but a closer look at the game would reveal just how much the Gunners made life easy for them.

Odegaard's passiveness prominent

This was a game crying out for creativity and leadership. As captain and, at his best, the most talented player on the pitch, Martin Ødegaard needed to step up—but he fell well short of expectations.

"We put a lot of pressure on them, but I think we lacked a bit of efficiency in the final third—the final pass, the final cross—and we should have been sharper and better around the box," he reflected post-match. His words summed up Arsenal’s performance, but they could just as easily serve as his own self-assessment.

Too much of Ødegaard’s involvement came outside the penalty area—he managed just three touches inside the box across nearly 100 minutes of play. While he officially created four chances, none truly troubled West Ham’s defense. He also attempted three shots, all of which failed to hit the target or come close.

Beyond the numbers, Ødegaard simply didn’t pass the eye test. Time and again, when Arsenal needed him to take control, he deferred to lesser creators—often defensive right-back Jurriën Timber. His trademark scooped pass over the backline worked once before West Ham adjusted and shut it down. If football is a game of expression, then Ødegaard was playing to disappear.

Elite playmakers and midfielders find solutions. Off days happen, but this isn’t an isolated performance—it’s been the story of Ødegaard’s season.

Season of no-shows

No matter how you frame it—regardless of the excuses or justifications—Martin Ødegaard has underwhelmed this season, especially given the high standards he set last year. The numbers back this up just as clearly as any scouting report.

For a full statistical breakdown of Ødegaard’s decline, you can explore his data on FBRef. But here’s a quick look at his key attacking metrics in the Premier League (adjusted per 90 minutes for a fair season-long comparison):

In short, Ødegaard’s numbers have declined across the board, except for passes into the final third—an indication that he’s been operating from a slightly deeper role this season. However, with Arsenal desperately needing a game-changer in attacking areas, a player of his quality should be influencing the final third more directly.

What's gone wrong?

Beyond the need for accountability and stepping up in difficult moments, the key question surrounding Ødegaard is: what’s behind this sudden decline? Is it a temporary dip or a more permanent regression? Is that same game-changing player still in there?

Injuries are often cited as the primary cause of a drop in form. When Ødegaard suffered an ankle sprain on international duty with Norway in September, missing 12 games for Arsenal, concerns were twofold—how the team would cope without him and whether he’d be rushed back too soon.

After a token one-minute appearance in the defeat to Inter, he returned to the starting lineup for a full 90 minutes in November’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, though he had little impact. His next game, where he orchestrated a 3-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, briefly reignited hope that Arsenal had their MVP back. But that optimism faded quickly.

It’s possible that Ødegaard’s return from injury had a delayed effect. While he showed glimpses of his old self, the physical toll of starting 14 of 16 Premier League matches since then—plus seven more in cup competitions—may be catching up with him, as is the case with many of Arsenal’s key players.

However, this downturn may not be purely physical. Arsenal’s high-tempo, attacking machine from 2022-23 has slowed down, partly because opponents have adjusted, and that may extend to Ødegaard individually. As a playmaker and goal threat, his reliance on his stronger left foot makes him easier to neutralize compared to two-footed creators like Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, or Christian Eriksen. Any lingering discomfort from his injury would only amplify this issue.

With Arsenal’s attack running on fumes, a slight creative drop-off is understandable. But the reluctance—or inability—to take charge of games is not. Despite sitting second in the Premier League, Arsenal rank eighth in shots per game (13.8 per 90 minutes), a stark drop from last season’s third-place ranking in that category (17.0 per 90).

Saka deserves more credit

It’s impossible to assess Arsenal’s season without addressing their injury struggles. A constantly changing list of absentees has prevented Arteta from establishing consistency in his team selections—though he’s not entirely blameless, having often hesitated to fully utilize his squad depth.

The supporting cast around Ødegaard may not be ideal, which could limit his effectiveness, but it doesn’t fully excuse his lack of goal contributions. Over at Tottenham, Ange Postecoglou has highlighted how the relentless winter schedule leaves little time for anything beyond recovery, which might explain Arsenal’s disjointed performances during this period.

Then there’s the absence of Bukayo Saka, who has reclaimed the title of Arsenal’s most important player. He was the focal point, the main outlet, and the game-changer. He shouldered the responsibility of a leader with his performances, and only Mohamed Salah—when fit—has had a more impactful Premier League season.

Even if Saka had stayed fit, Arsenal likely wouldn’t have caught Liverpool, but his absence since Christmas has left a massive void. Had he been available at any point over the last two months, the Gunners would undoubtedly be in a far stronger position. Few players in recent years have been as irreplaceable for Arsenal as Saka.

Season on the ropes

Arsenal find themselves 11 points behind Liverpool, out of both domestic cups, and facing a tricky away fixture against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. Forest, currently third, are closer to the Gunners in the table than Arsenal are to the league leaders. Meanwhile, their Champions League path isn’t any easier—Arteta’s side must first navigate an impressive PSV in the last 16 before a potential quarter-final clash with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.

The likelihood of another trophyless season is growing, marking a fifth straight year without silverware and just one major trophy in the last eight seasons. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a squad that has been good enough to win the Premier League over the past two campaigns.

Football’s cyclical nature means there are no guarantees for the future. While Arsenal should remain among the top contenders for the 2025-26 season, nothing is certain. Another injury crisis, an unexpected key departure, or the resurgence of a rival club could all shift the landscape, making this season’s shortcomings even more frustrating.

Reinforcements clearly needed

Arsenal don’t require a complete squad overhaul, but a refresh in the attacking third is clearly overdue. While Odegaard has struggled at times, there’s only so much he can do with the supporting cast around him in 2025.

A strong finish to the 2023-24 campaign misled the club into thinking additional firepower wasn’t a priority last summer. In January, they opted to sit tight for long-term gains, even as injuries piled up due to an unsustainably high workload. They can’t afford to overlook their attacking needs for another transfer window.

Fans may dream of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, but a nine-figure price tag and Newcastle’s reluctance to sell—regardless of their European status—could make that move unlikely. A more attainable option might be RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, though he wouldn’t quite match the expectations of landing one of the world’s best forwards.

The pendulum of optimism may yet swing back in Arsenal’s favor, but recent performances offer little indication of a major turnaround. Arteta has already taken responsibility, but Odegaard must also look in the mirror and demand more from himself.