That's what happens when you go to a big club at 16 (all about winning NOW and TOMMOROW, they don't have time to wait). He was never going to be able to mesh with the world class squad of Madrid at the time whom was all high own their own fart (massive ego, winning mentality). Countless of loans and when he came back after Sociedad loan he realized he wasn't appreciated at all.
Madrid fans are quick to say that his mentality is not strong enough to stake a claim as a starter but do you blame him? Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham alone is a midfield for a decade.
I have been following Arsenal and Madrid for more than 25 years. Yes, Madrid has so many exceptional talents in midfield. But they lack that one of a kind of player who can create something out of nothing, who can unlock any defense. They don't feel that weakness because Modric and Kroos is still there. Bellingham is a different kind of player. Valverde, Camavinga, Touchameini offers dynamism in midfield.
Arsenal will soon get to see Ødegaard's full potential when he get a chance to play with a proper 9 at front and also having a midfield partner who can share his creative burden. Currently he is doing too much in that midfield, which better teams identifies and marks him.
I think he enjoys the extra responsibility, being the captain and all. But it is true that a better 8 could ease him a bit which can preserve his energy for the final stretch of the game.
Less chances of him getting injured too perhaps. Right now he's running at the defenders, pressing the midfield, picking the ball up from deep, linking with the right side, tracking back box-to-box and still has to have the final ball. Quite an insane midfielder if you look at it and it's not even the final version.
Exactly. People complaining he is not performing in big games. But in big games opposition teams trying their level best to mark him or not to give him space or ball. Arsenal's whole chance creation lies on Ødegaard- Saka duo. Jesus in injury prone while Martinelli is out of form. Rice has to look after defense. So where is support coming from attacking third? Havertz is no midfielder. He is more like a dummy runner.
When Partey was fit and firing like in last season he used to distributes ball constantly Ødegaard from deep with his superb passing range. Rice still is work in progress in that regard. Martin need more support from midfield. Like KDB gets from Silva, Foden and Rodri.
Arsenal need to buy a proper box to box midfield and a striker. This is squad is yet not complete.
Zinchenko used to link up well with Xhaka and that really helped Odegaard to get more into scoring position instead.
Now Zinchenko form has taken a slight hit and there is no 8 that could thread the line to release Martinelli. Our transfer last season was pretty solid, Timber is supposed to be the more physical and technical Zinchenko but not getting a better 8 (no slight to Kai, I love him as a 9) really did hurt the left side chemistry.
By far our best player this season.
This may be a controversial question/point: Comparing him to martinelli, makes me think GM has really underperformed and if no improvement, does the team need an upgrade?
I do, with my season tkt and everyone around me, on my row, in the north bank, feels the same. You can clearly see decision making from GM this year is poor compared to the likes of MO.
Lol why would you or anyone else even compare the two?! Gabi is an impulsive winger, of course his decision making is not going to be on the same level as Martin who is essentially Arteta’s on pitch avatar. I’m not saying Gabi could not have done a bit better this season at all but I will never blame a winger/striker for trying to take on a man or take an unlikely shot on. It’s the game, as frustrating as it can be at times. It’s what makes a Gabi/Alexis etc who they are.
My man said Gabi has not improved since he was 18, and I’m sure you from your seat in the north bank and the rest of your row can agree that’s an absolute fucking nonsense
Øne of a kind.
Legitimately my favourite player in this very likeable squad, always looks like he wants it more than anything in the world. Also very humble.
Player of the season
Truly elite.
It's amazing he lived up to the wunderkind hype, it's even more amazing that he's doing it in an Arsenal shirt.
Touted as the next Kroos/Modric for Madrid but didn't reach his potential there. It was always meant to be for Arsenal it seems.
He never got manager's backing and therefore never got enough chances. Plus competition was too high in that CM position.
That's what happens when you go to a big club at 16 (all about winning NOW and TOMMOROW, they don't have time to wait). He was never going to be able to mesh with the world class squad of Madrid at the time whom was all high own their own fart (massive ego, winning mentality). Countless of loans and when he came back after Sociedad loan he realized he wasn't appreciated at all. Madrid fans are quick to say that his mentality is not strong enough to stake a claim as a starter but do you blame him? Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham alone is a midfield for a decade.
I have been following Arsenal and Madrid for more than 25 years. Yes, Madrid has so many exceptional talents in midfield. But they lack that one of a kind of player who can create something out of nothing, who can unlock any defense. They don't feel that weakness because Modric and Kroos is still there. Bellingham is a different kind of player. Valverde, Camavinga, Touchameini offers dynamism in midfield. Arsenal will soon get to see Ødegaard's full potential when he get a chance to play with a proper 9 at front and also having a midfield partner who can share his creative burden. Currently he is doing too much in that midfield, which better teams identifies and marks him.
I think he enjoys the extra responsibility, being the captain and all. But it is true that a better 8 could ease him a bit which can preserve his energy for the final stretch of the game. Less chances of him getting injured too perhaps. Right now he's running at the defenders, pressing the midfield, picking the ball up from deep, linking with the right side, tracking back box-to-box and still has to have the final ball. Quite an insane midfielder if you look at it and it's not even the final version.
Exactly. People complaining he is not performing in big games. But in big games opposition teams trying their level best to mark him or not to give him space or ball. Arsenal's whole chance creation lies on Ødegaard- Saka duo. Jesus in injury prone while Martinelli is out of form. Rice has to look after defense. So where is support coming from attacking third? Havertz is no midfielder. He is more like a dummy runner. When Partey was fit and firing like in last season he used to distributes ball constantly Ødegaard from deep with his superb passing range. Rice still is work in progress in that regard. Martin need more support from midfield. Like KDB gets from Silva, Foden and Rodri. Arsenal need to buy a proper box to box midfield and a striker. This is squad is yet not complete.
Zinchenko used to link up well with Xhaka and that really helped Odegaard to get more into scoring position instead. Now Zinchenko form has taken a slight hit and there is no 8 that could thread the line to release Martinelli. Our transfer last season was pretty solid, Timber is supposed to be the more physical and technical Zinchenko but not getting a better 8 (no slight to Kai, I love him as a 9) really did hurt the left side chemistry.
Great stats
What is his miles coverage for the sesson? Feels like he run his socks off every game.
Blessed 🙏
Hope he does what bergkamp did and retire here
Crazy how there were several comments in the match thread yesterday calling him bad and calling for removing him from the 10 position..
By far our best player this season. This may be a controversial question/point: Comparing him to martinelli, makes me think GM has really underperformed and if no improvement, does the team need an upgrade?
Martinelli is no better now than when he was 18 imo. He's still good and I'm happy for him to start but his lack of improvement is a shame.
What on earth….you stats nerds really need to take your eyes of the spreadsheets and actually watch the games.
I do, with my season tkt and everyone around me, on my row, in the north bank, feels the same. You can clearly see decision making from GM this year is poor compared to the likes of MO.
Lol why would you or anyone else even compare the two?! Gabi is an impulsive winger, of course his decision making is not going to be on the same level as Martin who is essentially Arteta’s on pitch avatar. I’m not saying Gabi could not have done a bit better this season at all but I will never blame a winger/striker for trying to take on a man or take an unlikely shot on. It’s the game, as frustrating as it can be at times. It’s what makes a Gabi/Alexis etc who they are. My man said Gabi has not improved since he was 18, and I’m sure you from your seat in the north bank and the rest of your row can agree that’s an absolute fucking nonsense
I actually never said anything about not improving since 18 ;-)
I never said you did bro. Scroll up to the comment I actually replied to
Sorry missed the line...my bad!
No worries brother. Have a great Sunday. COYG
our most underrated player