Let's talk about Ødegaard...

It feels a bit insane to be typing this out but we may need to discuss the future of the man who has just lifted Arsenal's first Premier League title in 22 years. 

Before we begin, I don't want any sweeping conclusions to be taken from this article, nor do I want anyone feeling like this is written with any clickbait in mind. I'm entirely grateful for everything Ødegaard has given this football club but with the season he's just had and the direction the Premier League is moving in, I think there's at least a conversation.

Even as one of his biggest supporters I can't deny that there were numerous games last season that it just didn't feel like he could stamp his mark on. Whether his physicality has declined or the league has just heightened in that regard, we saw him getting bullied in midfield far too often and not using his superior technical ability to rise above that as we used to see. This feeling isn't just about the eye test either. The headline stats are that he got 1G, 6A in 24 league games (although maybe fairer to say 16 starts) and 0G, 1A in 8 in the UCL (5 starts). I feel this partly comes as a consequence to a change in expectations from our #10, especially in the UCL where games are more dynamic. Unlike the usual 4-3-3 system we'd become pretty accustomed to, we began to shift to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 in which the #10 almost became a 2nd striker at times. Ødegaard doesn't particularly suit this role which often ended up with him dropping out of the block and almost doing what Zubimendi was supposed to be doing - leading to redundancy and a lack of presence behind the striker. Considering all of this, if a team was willing and able to spend £60m on a guy whose role is diminishing next season, do we really say no?

But now to come to his defence...

Firstly, for all the praises I can give Arteta, Ødegaard isn't an exception to the lengthy list of players who have suffered in health because of his high demands. Saka, Saliba, Rice & White to varying extents are all granted a degree of leeway fitness-wise considering what they've given the club. Is Ødegaard not entitled to this same grace after how he's performed for us? Also, despite his on-field performances being far from vintage, he still picked up 0.4A and 0.24 xA assists per 90 in the league last season, putting him 3rd and 12 respectively. He was 97th percentile for final 3rd possessions won and 96th for chances created too (and without taking corners). All of this while returning from injuries. If they're his numbers while he's coming back to full fitness then I'm not sure that output is the biggest concern.

For me the role shift is the issue. We've become a very dynamic team and us targeting guys like Rogers suggests that isn't changing anytime soon. If he's to survive in this team it feels like it'll be in rotation with others depending on the game's expectations. Against low blocks I'd happily see him in the pivot where he can lead the team in all 3 phases. In harder games his pressing is incredibly valuable further forward but I question if we're really going to bench Eze in those moments with what he can offer in transition. 

Personally, I feel it comes down to what the player wants himself. If he's happy at the club and wants to continue being a part of this journey then I've got so much time for him. I really believe there's not another player on the market you can sign for what we'd get for him - not even close. But if the right offer came in and the club decided to cash in while he holds value then I somewhat understand, even if it's not the decision I'd make myself. Would Arteta really sell his son though? I'm not so sure.