Darren Bent Calls for Odegaard Axe as Arsenal's Attack Stutters
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces mounting pressure to address a critical issue in his squad, despite the team holding a top position in the Premier League. The Gunners are struggling to convert chances from open play, with their expensively assembled forward line failing to deliver consistently. This goal drought threatens to derail their title ambitions as the season enters a crucial phase where any misstep could prove costly.
Midfield Woes Highlighted by Bent's Scathing Critique
Former Premier League striker and Arsenal fan Darren Bent has voiced strong criticism, particularly targeting captain Martin Odegaard. Speaking on Talksport, Bent argued that Odegaard has been "offering nothing" and should be dropped in favour of giving Eberechi Eze an extended run in the team. He pointed to a recent match against Manchester United, where Bruno Fernandes dominated the midfield, as evidence of Arsenal's shortcomings in this area.
Bent emphasised: "Defensively this season, Arsenal have been rock solid, but the attacking areas need serious work. Next game. Premier League. Odegaard out. Out." He added that Eze deserves four or five consecutive starts to showcase his special talent, suggesting this change could revitalise Arsenal's creative output.
Broader Attack Concerns Beyond Odegaard
The issues extend beyond the midfield, with Bent also highlighting underperformance from key attackers. He noted that Bukayo Saka, while historically incredible, has seen a drop in goals and assists this season. Similarly, players like Viktor Gyokeres, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus have not met expectations, contributing to the team's overall struggles in front of goal.
Bent explained: "Saka has been incredible for Arsenal for such a long time, you can't take anything away from him. But this season, he hasn't been good enough in terms of output. Gyokeres hasn't been good enough. Trossard was our most reliable attacker, but in the last five, six games, he hasn't been good enough either. Gabriel Jesus... it hasn't worked for him."
Arteta's Challenge to Fix Arsenal's Scoring Crisis
Arteta's task now is to find a solution to this scoring crisis before it jeopardises Arsenal's league position. The manager must balance defensive stability with attacking freedom, a difficult equation as the title race intensifies. With the January transfer window closing and no new signings secured, Arteta may need to rely on tactical adjustments and squad rotations, such as promoting Eze, to spark a turnaround.
The coming games will be pivotal for Arsenal, as they aim to rediscover their scoring touch and maintain their challenge at the top of the Premier League table.
