November 8th 2024.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard recently returned to action after being out for 12 matches due to an injury. His absence was greatly felt by the team, with their poor run of form coinciding with his time on the sidelines. However, there is hope that his return will bring a much-needed boost to the team.
Former Arsenal player Ray Parlour has compared Odegaard to club legend Dennis Bergkamp, praising his vision and creativity on the pitch. Despite the midfielder only being at 80% fitness, Parlour believes he should start in Arsenal's upcoming match against Chelsea.
Odegaard had been out with ankle ligament damage sustained while on international duty with Norway in September. But he made a brief appearance in Arsenal's recent Champions League match against Inter Milan, giving fans a glimmer of hope for his return.
Manager Mikel Arteta has remained tight-lipped about Odegaard's inclusion in the starting lineup against Chelsea. But Parlour believes his presence in the midfield could make all the difference, especially against a strong defensive team like Chelsea.
Parlour also sees similarities between Odegaard and his former teammate Bergkamp, who was known for his incredible vision and ability to create chances on the pitch. Despite not being at the same level as Bergkamp, Parlour sees Odegaard's potential and believes he can bring something different to the team.
In their recent match against Newcastle, Arsenal lacked creativity in their midfield, which is where Odegaard's talents could be crucial. Parlour believes that if Odegaard is even at 80% fitness, he should still be given the chance to play for at least 70 minutes.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson agrees with Parlour, urging Arteta to take a chance on Odegaard in their upcoming match against Chelsea. With Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League standings, Merson believes that a win is crucial and Odegaard's inclusion could make all the difference.
It remains to be seen if Arteta will take the risk and start Odegaard against Chelsea, but fans are hopeful that his return will bring a much-needed boost to the team. With his creativity and vision on the pitch, Odegaard could be the missing piece that Arsenal needs to turn their season around.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
