Mikel Arteta told to make Martin Odegaard decision after Arsenal’s win

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has struggled for form so far this season, but he did provide the assist for Gabriel Magalhaes’ winner against Newcastle on Sunday

Arsenal legend Perry Groves believes that Mikel Arteta should think about dropping Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard to the substitutes’ bench. The Norway international has struggled to get going this campaign with Arsenal, managing only one assist across five outings for Arteta’s squad thus far.

However, that contribution did arrive during the Gunners’ crucial 2-1 triumph at Newcastle United on Sunday as Arteta’s side closed to within two points of table-toppers Liverpool. Supporters in north London will now be hoping that Odegaard’s match-winning display in the North East might spark an improvement in his performances.

Arsenal welcome Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday before taking on West Ham United this Saturday afternoon. Yet former Gunners winger Groves has expressed his belief that Odegaard would gain from a spell out of the first team to rediscover his peak form.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta react to William Saliba contract after new Arsenal deal signedREAD MORE: Rio Ferdinand supports Romelu Lukaku as ex-Man United striker shares heartbreaking update

“Not through a lack of effort but he hasn’t been himself because of injuries,” he said, via the Metro.

“He hasn’t been his free-flowing, creative self. But what happens now is Eze comes in, and when you’re at a massive club, you have to lift your own personal performance, and that will spur Odegaard on.

“If you look at Sunday when Odegaard came on, he got straight into the pace of the game, and he ends up obviously getting the assist for the goal with a brilliant delivery from the corner.

“So I think what happens with the top players is being on the bench inspires you to reach another level, and the beauty with Arsenal’s squad depth is that they can do that and rotate their options now.”

He added: “With the subs now, there’s no drop off in the standard because there’s no drop off in the player.

“And what that means is, when you come on with 25 minutes, 30 minutes ago, the actual level of the team goes up because obviously those players are coming on fresh.

“And when you’re playing against Arsenal, you’re thinking, oh, there’s no respite, it’s relentless.

“That’s exactly what Man City were like in their pomp.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.