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Arsenal: 5 tactical demands for Martin Odegaard in 4-2-3-1

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal shakes hands with team mate Pierre Emerick Aubameyang during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal shakes hands with team mate Pierre Emerick Aubameyang during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Calum Chambers
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Calum Chambers of Arsenal celebrates his side’s second goal with Martin Odegaard during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal. (Photo by Paul Childs – Pool/Getty Images) /

5. Provide On and Off-Field Leadership

This isn’t something tactical per se, but one of the most endearing aspects of Odegaard’s time in north London last season was the manner with which he assumed responsibility and took upon a leadership role almost immediately.

Arteta and his staff were enamoured by his professionalism and bravery, and while offering that in the dressing room isn’t necessarily tactical, when he’s relaying his manager’s orders on the pitch in real-time, it most certainly is.

The ‘Open Mic’ feature that Arsenal used last season was one of the highlights of a miserable campaign. Odegaard was given the starring role in the 3-3 draw with West Ham and few supporters expected this 22-year-old to be as vocal as he was.

Instructing Alexandre Lacazette when to press, bellowing at Calum Chambers to be faster moving the ball and barking orders elsewhere for his teammates to switch the play or push the backline up, these were all commands Arteta had laid out as part of his plan that the Norwegian absorbed fully.

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With full stadiums back and Arteta’s endless step-by-step guidance on the sidelines set to be drowned out, having someone with vocality like Odegaard in the forward areas of the pitch is the kick up the backside many of them need.

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