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While Arsenal are on the brink of winning their first Premier League title in over 20 years, few could argue that Mikel Arteta\u2019s team have been at their free-flowing best as an attacking team over recent months.<\/p>\n
The Gunners sit nine points clear at the summit of the English top flight with just seven matches remaining. Various projection models have Arteta\u2019s side at 91% to win the title, while they\u2019ve got quarter-final ties against Southampton and Sporting CP to come in the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively.<\/p>\n
Despite this, Arsenal face constant criticism for their style of play, with many claiming that the North Londoners are an \u2018ugly\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
Several Arsenal players have been on international duty over the past week ahead of the domestic run-in. However, a number of Arteta\u2019s squad members stayed at London Colney to rest and recuperate, including captain Martin Odegaard.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s return coincides with an injury to Eberechi Eze, which may mean Arteta has to rush his skipper back more quickly than he would\u2019ve liked.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s contributions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This saw him top the charts for this metric in UEFA qualifying.<\/p>\n
\nMartin \u00d8degaard provided more assists than any other European player during World Cup qualifying. <\/p>\n
\u25c9 5 games
\u25c9 7 assists <\/p>\nHe averaged an assist every 65 minutes. \ud83c\udd70\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/2sXL6Tw9V4<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Squawka (@Squawka) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Given the 27-year-old\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Arsenal need a fit and firing Martin Odegaard to take them to the promised land<\/h2>\n
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\u2019t expected to feature again this season.<\/p>\n
While many have cited the Spaniard\u2019s absence as one of the key reasons behind Arsenal\u2019s stodgy performances, the World Cup qualifying data highlights how Odegaard\u2019s absence is arguably more detrimental to the Gunners\u2019 attack.<\/p>\n
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