While Arsenal are on the brink of winning their first Premier League title in over 20 years, few could argue that Mikel Arteta’s team have been at their free-flowing best as an attacking team over recent months.
The Gunners sit nine points clear at the summit of the English top flight with just seven matches remaining. Various projection models have Arteta’s side at 91% to win the title, while they’ve got quarter-final ties against Southampton and Sporting CP to come in the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively.
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Despite this, Arsenal face constant criticism for their style of play, with many claiming that the North Londoners are an ‘ugly’ watch. While a significant portion of this discourse is disingenuous drivel, there is certainly a hint of truth to it; the Gunners have been extremely functional, but not hugely entertaining.
Surprise Martin Odegaard statistic from World Cup qualifying
Several Arsenal players have been on international duty over the past week ahead of the domestic run-in. However, a number of Arteta’s squad members stayed at London Colney to rest and recuperate, including captain Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard has been struggling with a knee injury over the last few months, but is expected to be fit to face Southampton in the FA Cup this weekend. The playmaker’s return coincides with an injury to Eberechi Eze, which may mean Arteta has to rush his skipper back more quickly than he would’ve liked.
While the Norwegian has been absent for Arsenal over much of the last 12 months, he has been an ever-present key figure for his national team. Norway qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, in large part due to Odegaard’s contributions.
Topping a qualification group that included Italy, the Scandinavian country romped past almost every opponent they faced. Odegaard provided seven assists across five qualification appearances, meaning he averaged an assist every 65 minutes.
This saw him top the charts for this metric in UEFA qualifying.
Martin Ødegaard provided more assists than any other European player during World Cup qualifying.
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 1, 2026
◉ 5 games
◉ 7 assists
He averaged an assist every 65 minutes. 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/2sXL6Tw9V4
Given the 27-year-old’s slightly underwhelming form at club level, this data point will surprise many, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne and Jude Bellingham all featuring heavily for their respective countries during qualifying.
Arsenal need a fit and firing Martin Odegaard to take them to the promised land
Arsenal have essentially been without both Odegaard and Mikel Merino since losing to Manchester United in January. Merino is in rehabilitation after suffering a serious foot injury and isn’t expected to feature again this season.
While many have cited the Spaniard’s absence as one of the key reasons behind Arsenal’s stodgy performances, the World Cup qualifying data highlights how Odegaard’s absence is arguably more detrimental to the Gunners’ attack.
| Progressive Passes per 90 leaders in the Premier League 2024/25 (5+ 90s only) | |
| Martin Odegaard | 9.72 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 9.46 |
| Adam Wharton | 8.84 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 8.69 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 8.24 |
| James Maddison | 8.19 |
Arsenal have lost their creative heartbeat, the player who gets them into the final third more than anyone else and lays on chances for teammates more than anyone else. It’s gone under the radar just how influential he is at his best, and the Gunners need him back.
If Odegaard can rediscover his best form, then he has the ability to take Arsenal to the promised land before the end of the season. Without a fit and firing Odegaard, then the Gunners’ football is likely to continue to be something of an eye-saw.
