Theo Walcott has delivered a brutal assessment of the situation facing Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, suggesting the Norwegian playmaker needed a 'kick up the backside' and is now likely fearing for his place in Mikel Arteta's starting line-up.
This stark warning comes in the wake of Eberechi Eze's stunning hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur, a performance that has sent a clear message throughout the Emirates Stadium.
Eze Seizes His Moment in Historic Derby Display
With Odegaard sidelined since October due to a knee injury, the £67.5 million signing Eze was handed a continued run in the team. He grasped this opportunity with both hands in Sunday's memorable 4-1 victory over Arsenal's bitter rivals.
Following Leandro Trossard's opener, Eze scored either side of half-time to give the Gunners a commanding 3-0 lead at the Emirates. After Richarlison's audacious 35-yard lob gave Spurs a flicker of hope, Eze coolly restored the three-goal cushion in the 76th minute, completing his hat-trick.
Eze's triple strike was the first hat-trick scored in a north London derby since the Premier League's inception, a feat last achieved by Alan Sunderland back in 1978. The moment was made sweeter for Arsenal fans by the fact that Eze had turned down a move to Tottenham to join Arteta's project in the summer.
Walcott's Candid Assessment of Odegaard's Predicament
Reflecting on Eze's performance on The Overlap US, former Arsenal forward Walcott did not hold back in his analysis of the impact on the team captain. 'I love him. He's had patches of brilliance and you thought, "Ah, I need a little bit more, you're playing slightly with the handbrake on", maybe,' Walcott said of Eze.
He praised the team's unity, evidenced by the bench's celebrations, but was blunt about the consequences for Odegaard. 'They're all on the same page, they are, however, deep down, Martin Odegaard will be thinking: "Oh, this is tough!"'
Walcott elaborated, suggesting that while injury can sometimes make a player better, Odegaard was at risk of becoming a 'worse player' during his spell on the sidelines. However, he believes this intense competition will ultimately elevate the Norwegian's game.
'I think he's needed this kick up the backside, I'll be brutally honest,' Walcott stated. 'It will be brilliant for him because it's happened to Trossard and all of a sudden Trossard is someone different now so I think it'll do him good.'
A Healthier, More Competitive Arsenal Squad
Walcott views this selection headache for Mikel Arteta as a sign of the club's strength. 'Everyone is getting pushed right now at Arsenal now and we're in a good place, a better place, an incredible place,' he concluded.
The former England winger, who famously made a '2-0' gesture from a stretcher after injuring his ACL during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in 2014, also shared his fondness for the north London derby. 'It was always the fixture that I just loved playing,' he recalled, acknowledging the unique pressure and banter that defines the clash.
For now, all eyes will be on the Arsenal midfield when Odegaard returns to full fitness, with Eze's historic performance ensuring that no starting spot is safe.
