Arsenal fans were surprised to see Martin Odegaard on the bench in the clash against Brighton, especially given his recent performances as captain. However, coach Mikel Arteta reveals that the decision was made due to the player not fully recovering from an illness, along with another key player Havertz. This comes as a rare occurrence for the usually consistent playmaker, but it seems to be a precautionary measure by the team.
Odegaard Rested for Brighton Clash Amid Illness
Arsenal fans were surprised to see skipper Martin Odegaard on the bench for their match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The Norwegian has been in excellent form for the Gunners, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in all competitions this season.
However, manager Mikel Arteta revealed after the game that Odegaard had been struggling with an illness and was not fully fit to start.
"Martin has been feeling unwell for the last few days," Arteta said. "He trained yesterday but he wasn't feeling great today. We decided to give him a rest and hopefully he'll be back for the next game."
Odegaard's absence was a significant blow for Arsenal, who were also without fellow playmaker Kai Havertz due to illness. The Gunners struggled to create chances in the first half and went into the break trailing 1-0.
They improved after the interval but could not find an equalizer, and Brighton held on for a 1-0 victory.
Odegaard is expected to return to the Arsenal starting lineup for their next match, against Manchester City on February 15.
Background
Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 and made the move permanent in the summer. He has quickly become a key player for the Gunners, and his performances have earned him the captaincy.
Odegaard is a versatile playmaker who can operate in a number of positions. He is comfortable on the ball, has good vision, and is a threat from set pieces.
Top 5 FAQs
Why was Odegaard on the bench against Brighton? Odegaard was on the bench against Brighton because he was unwell and not fully fit to start.
When will Odegaard return to the Arsenal starting lineup? Odegaard is expected to return to the Arsenal starting lineup for their next match, against Manchester City on February 15.
What is Odegaard's playing style? Odegaard is a versatile playmaker who can operate in a number of positions. He is comfortable on the ball, has good vision, and is a threat from set pieces.
What are Odegaard's strengths and weaknesses? Odegaard's strengths include his vision, creativity, and passing ability. He is also a good dribbler and can score goals from distance. However, he can sometimes be slow to start games and is not the best defender.
What is Odegaard's future at Arsenal? Odegaard is now a key player for Arsenal and is expected to be a part of the club's long-term plans. He has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world.
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