Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has launched a scathing critique of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, labeling the Norwegian midfielder a 'big problem' for the club and claiming he 'doesn't play his position properly' this season.
Odegaard captained Arsenal to a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend, which propelled the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's side had slipped to second after a defeat at the Etihad, while Manchester City's win at Burnley saw them briefly claim the summit for the first time since the opening week of the campaign.
The title race remains wide open, with Arsenal able to move six points clear if they defeat Fulham in Saturday's London derby at the Emirates. Odegaard has been instrumental in Arsenal's resurgence under Arteta, winning the club's Player of the Season award twice since the Spaniard's arrival in 2019. However, persistent injury problems have hampered his form, and his contributions have dipped significantly this term, with just one goal and five assists in 21 league matches.
Odegaard's appearance against Newcastle marked his first back-to-back starts since December, fueling speculation about a potential summer exit—rumors he quickly dismissed ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes argued that Odegaard's positional issues have become a major concern for Arsenal.
'That game on Saturday, I didn't see all of it, I probably saw the first half an hour, but I think Odegaard is a big problem for them,' Scholes explained. 'I love Odegaard, I think he's brilliant. Technically, he's great, but he doesn't play his position properly. Half the time I saw him in the first 20 minutes he was almost the deepest man. That football, it's just bulls***.'
Scholes believes Bukayo Saka's absence on the right flank has negatively impacted Odegaard's performance, given their strong partnership in recent seasons. When asked whether Odegaard's deep positioning was due to the player or Arteta, Scholes replied: 'Whether they've been told that or not, Odegaard is a No.10. He connects your midfield to your forward play. You wonder why there's no flow in your team when he's behind Martin Zubimendi, he's behind Declan Rice. How can you get connections there?'
'I also think that Saka not being there is a problem because Odegaard connects well with Saka. Once he gets in those positions behind the midfield, Saka's off and running. I don't think he'll have that connection with Viktor Gyokeres because he's not that type of player. Possibly with Kai Havertz he could have it.'
Scholes added: 'If I'm a central midfield player for Arsenal, I don't need you here! You're not needed in between the defence and midfield! You've got to be there in the No.10 position so I can progress the ball up the pitch to you. It's almost in a David Silva kind of way, how he connected Manchester City's midfield to the attacking play. Stay there!'
Pressed on whether Odegaard or Eberechi Eze is better suited to Arsenal's No.10 role, Scholes said: 'I think either of them are suited to it. Eze will produce more moments from the edge of the box scoring goals than Odegaard, but Odegaard will make you a better football team if he plays in the right position.'
Scholes also criticized Arsenal's summer recruit Martin Zubimendi, claiming the Spain international 'doesn't progress the game enough.' 'The Premier League is tough. It's a long season and he probably wouldn't have experienced anything like this before in Spain,' Scholes said. 'He wouldn't have been going for a title in Spain with Real Sociedad. When I'd seen him for Sociedad, I never thought he was going to be a player to make your team play good football. I don't think he progresses the game enough.'
Turning to the title race, Scholes believes Manchester City have gained momentum and are 'capable of winning every game' from now until the end of the season. 'City are handling it better with the big game last week, Arsenal limped over the line a little bit against Newcastle again,' he said. 'I just think there's a flow to City. I know there's not massive experience in the squad but they've got the manager who has the experience. It's going to be close, I don't think there's any doubting that, I just think City are capable of winning every game.'
