Arsenal Captain Martin Odegaard Faces Summer Exit Calls After Losing Influence
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been advised to leave the club this summer, as his role under manager Mikel Arteta has diminished significantly, with pundits claiming he is no longer an "influential" player for the Gunners.
From Star Signing to Reduced Role
Odegaard joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2021 for £30 million and quickly became a standout performer, making over 200 appearances. Initially viewed as arguably the most crucial member of Arteta's squad, his status has declined over the past 18 months. Last season, he managed only three Premier League goals, and this term has seen him start less than half of Arsenal's matches, partly due to injury issues and criticized form.
Eze's Emergence and Arteta's Preference
Arteta's decision to sanction a £67.5 million move for Eberechi Eze last summer has further marginalized Odegaard. Eze started in Arsenal's emphatic 4-1 north London derby win over Tottenham on Sunday, scoring twice to add to a hat-trick he netted against Spurs in November. In contrast, Odegaard was limited to a late substitute appearance, highlighting his bit-part status.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol and former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf have both commented on Odegaard's situation. Nicol stated, "Odegaard might be leaving Arsenal. If you're Odegaard, the club captain and 18 months ago you were the guy. All of a sudden – and I know he's had some injuries – but there's question marks over whether he actually starts because of Eze."
Leboeuf added, "I've always liked Martin Odegaard and the way he plays because he's very elegant, but he's not influential anymore. He's there to start the action, to distribute the ball horizontally. But with Eze right now the moves are not the same, he's more vertical, more influential and he's going to help Viktor Gyokeres too."
Arteta's Praise for Eze and Title Chase
Arteta praised Eze after the Tottenham victory, noting his reaction to being benched in previous games. "He has scored five goals in the last two games against Tottenham, which is extremely difficult to do, but I could see that he wanted to prove something," Arteta said. "He was upset, even with me, because I didn't play him in the other day from the beginning and some of the decisions that I made. And I start to understand how we're going to get the best out of him now."
The win sent Arsenal five points clear of title rivals Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Arteta aims to become the first Arsenal manager since Arsene Wenger in 2004 to lift the Premier League trophy, with a crucial match against Chelsea upcoming.
Odegaard's Future in Doubt
As Arsenal chase a long-awaited Premier League title, Odegaard's reduced involvement raises questions about his future. Nicol emphasized, "So if you're Martin Odegaard, do you stick around? I don't think you do." Leboeuf concurred, suggesting Odegaard will need to make "a very good choice, a big choice, at the end of the season."
With Eze's vertical play and influence growing, Odegaard's elegant but less impactful style may no longer fit Arteta's plans, prompting calls for a summer departure to seek regular playing time elsewhere.
