Arsenal: 3 things we’d like to see in EFL Cup vs Leeds

3. Martin Odegaard Taking Responsibility – In His Best Position

The situation with Odegaard at the moment works both ways: he hasn’t been at his fluid best, just as systematically he’s been hindered.

For someone who thrives in the right half-spaces, being asked to play on the left in a double pivot and emulate Granit Xhaka by shifting out to cover for his full-back is not how you get the most out of Odegaard.

He is someone who should see most of the ball in the team, which is why he needs to be playing in the No. 10 role where he can drift into the pockets of space when he can bind everyone together. His best performance of the season came against Tottenham when he played there. There is no doubting it is where he’s best suited.

That isn’t to say he completely without fault. As witnessed against both Brighton and Crystal Palace, his touch was left back on the team bus. Someone known for being silky in possession, boasting an adept touch and effortlessly able to pass a ball onto a penny, all of those have been absent from his game.

When he’s not involved he is guilty of drifting out of view even further, and putting him in a deeper midfield slot where off the ball he struggles to find the right positions isn’t helping his case.

Against Leeds there should be a return the No. 10 position for him with a double pivot in behind. When a player is looking slightly off the pace or struggling for influence, they need to be restored to factory settings. Odegaard’s bread and butter is in that position.