One Arsenal star is now leading all other Premier League players when it comes to one impressive attacking statistic.
Arsenal are fortunate to have one of the most effective attacking players in the Premier League in their ranks.
Martin Odegaard is a talismanic figure for the Gunners. He is the club captain, and leads by example in so many ways.
What makes Martin Odegaard so important to Arsenal
The Norwegian is practically Mikel Arteta’s double on the pitch, as he directs and instructs his teammates throughout every match. The midfielder is responsible for triggering and leading the Arsenal press and works tirelessly, week in, week out, to harry and pressurise opposition players in an effort to win the ball back in dangerous areas.
He can also be relied upon to track back and make vital interventions in the Gunners’ own defensive third. Due to his astonishing work ethic and consistency, Odegaard has been described as a “perfect” Arsenal captain.
On the ball, the £30 million former Real Madrid man is even more impressive. His technical level is astounding, and his ability to evade opponents with subtle shimmies and feints never fails to fire up the Emirates Stadium crowd. Odegaard mesmerised Arsenal fans with his first half display against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Odegaard’s primary function in this Arsenal team, though, is to be a creative hub. Arteta relies upon the 25-year-old to unlock opposition defences and create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates with inventive passes between the lines.
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Martin Odegaard leading the way in the Premier League
He does not only excel in this role, but also outshines the rest of the top flight of English football. As per stats reported by The Athletic, no other Premier League player has created as many chances from open play so far this season.
In this regard, Odegaard is top dog, as he has crafted 68 chances for his teammates from open play. His closest challenger to this crown is Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who has carved out 59 opportunities. Liverpool superstar Mo Salah is close behind with 58.
Bukayo Saka occupies fifth-place on this list, having generated 55 chances.
However, despite having made so many opportunities for Arsenal players to score, Odegaard has only racked up six Premier League assists so far this season. This suggests that the Gunners have a problem when it comes to finishing.
Certainly, Gabriel Jesus has been far from prolific this season. The Brazilian striker is regularly wasteful in front of goal. Kai Havertz has also been guilty of spurning opportunities, whilst Gabriel Martinelli has also endured a poor campaign in terms of goalscoring.
Odegaard deserves to have an elite level striker playing ahead of him for him to serve. Arsenal must find a striker worthy of his creative talents this summer.
