Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd: 4 positives and negatives from key win

3. Martin Odegaard & Bukayo Saka Partnership Returns

These two are the best two players in the team. When you have players of their quality, getting them close to one another seems like such a basic tactical move. It works, though.

Missing across the three consecutive defeats was the blossoming partnership of Saka and Odegaard. Against Chelsea that returned to the fore with that connection contributing towards Smith Rowe’s goal, and the overall telepathy between them is on another level.

Against Manchester United Odegaard was picking up space like it was being handed out to him. Dropping shoulders, first-time passing beyond markers and drifting into areas United couldn’t keep up with him, he sparkled in the north London sun.

While it’s one thing him being in this position, he needs someone close to him. Someone he can feed and someone to feed him.

The spacing between Saka and Odegaard are so clever. They’re long when they need to be and tight if the plan is to overload. Both have such an excellent weight of pass, and Saka’s ability with both feet makes their link-up play so diverse and effective. In the half spaces Odegaard comes alive and when faced with men to beat, Saka can either take them on wide or play delightful give-and-go’s with the Norwegian centrally.

Individually magnificent, they’re collectively exceptional when working in harmony.

When these two play well, so do Arsenal. It’s little wonder that back-to-back wins in the Premier League have come when their partnership has been at its strongest.

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