Arsenal: 4 things we have to see vs Aston Villa

3. Martin Odegaard Taking Some Initiative

Odegaard is still only 22 years old. This is someone who has never had the chance to fully settle on a club and city having been flung around on loan numerous times over the course of his career.

He’s here now in the Premier League, somewhere he knows well, and will continue to excite and delight for the remainder of his time at the club.

That isn’t happening at the moment.

A dazzling display against Tottenham that was all the hallmarks of his talent indicated precisely why he is was a snip at £30m and why Arteta was so hell-bent on signing him. He was the glue that held the team together. He connected all the dots and performed the role of a No. 10 excellently.

None of which has been on show in the previous two matches. Odegaard’s touch has abandoned him and the standout fear over him as a player has come to the fore: he goes missing when Arsenal aren’t in control.

If Arsenal are in possession and command there are few better young playmakers you want in your team to ensure all parts function in accordance with one another. Knowing when to hold the ball for two extra touches, who to play in when transitioning and whether a first time pass is the right port of call, Odegaard can do all in silky fashion.

Then when Palace got a foothold his physical profile meant he vanished gradually with each pass around him. These are the points in matches when you need someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck: forcing the issue, playing a particular pass or being gritty in the challenges. This is where he is guilty of getting lost.

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