3 Arsenal players who struggled vs Newcastle

3. Martin Odegaard

How’s your touch, lad? Based off of the opening 20 or so minutes, it’s pretty dreadful.

But that was to be expected.

Having not started a match since the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, it’s asking too much of Martin Odegaard to immediately get up to the speed of the league and beautifully cushion every pass into him.

He contributed to the rather turgid opening half an hour, taking time to find his feet and adjust to the rhythm, sometimes holding onto the ball for too long and other times rushing his decisions.

Growing into the game as it progressed, after the break he found more fluency and picked out a few neat passes through tight areas, as well as keeping Arsenal ticking over in central areas and in that right half-space he loves to drift into. It was more of what we expect of him.

What he needs is a consistent run in the team in that No. 10 slot. He’s popped up in deeper roles and as a left-sided No. 8, so this outing, while not him anywhere near his free-flowing best, should be the start of an extended run.

Struggling to truly impact the game as he did was down to a lack of sharpness, one he needs to regain with the fixtures coming up. Still only 22 years old, these small signs of rustiness will buff out.

This should be the start of regular outings. Arsenal need him firing on all cylinders.