Arsenal: Emi Buendia & Odegaard statistical and tactical comparison

Emi Buendia and Martin Odegaard Statistical Comparison

If the money was right and the availability there, Odegaard would already be back at Arsenal. Arteta couldn’t help but wax lyrical about the Norwegian throughout his time at the club, praising his work ethic, leadership, engine and overall quality.

He’s also a big fan of Buendia. Looking at it financially, it seems highly unlikely (big fat no) that both can make the move to north London this summer. Looking at it realistically, it’s also highly unlikely that both can fit into the starting lineup without two of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka or Nicolas Pepe dropping out. With no European football next season, it’s even less likely.

From an ability standpoint (fbref), however, the two are incomparable.

Odegaard is a possession footballer. A dictator of tempos and rhythms. Someone who links and sculpts, moulding those around him into cohesive patterns of partnerships. His link-up play and ball retention stand out from his spell at Arsenal, sitting in the 96th and 94th percentile compared to the rest of Europe during that time.

As far as defensive output there is next to none. He’s in the low 40th percentiles for tackles and interceptions, and in the 31st for ball recoveries. Not blessed with pace, it’s clear where his skills lie.

This is someone who a delightful first touch. When Arsenal played well he invariably did, too. he has an ability to draw in opponents out of their positions and shift the ball on at the moment, with the exacting weight. His touch of distribution is excellent.

Being the linking piece, his goal output isn’t great, sitting in the 9th percentile for goals with an overall npxG+xA (non-penalty expected goals and expected assists) of just 0.29. Regarding what he delivered, it’s key to note just how flat Arsenal were in the final third as well as how it was a sample size of just 14 starts at a new club.

A profile that would delight at Arsenal, but one so different to Buendia that you wonder what it is exactly that Arteta wants? Let’s take a look at the Norwich man.

Continued…