How Martin Odegaard's return has put Arsenal back on track

Martin Odegaard is now fully back in action for Arsenal since making his return from injury against Inter in early November. His comeback came after a two month spell on the sidelines with an ankle issue.

The Gunners struggled without their captain, winning just five of the ten Premier League and Champions League games they had to play without him. Mikel Arteta's side have won three of the four matches they have contested since Odegaard's return, giving them a win percentage of 75%.

Arsenal looked dismal at times without their skipper but now look to have their notorious attacking bright spark back. With 14 goals scored in the four games Odegaard has started since returning from injury, his influence has certainly been felt.

Their improvement in form has coincided with Odegaard's comeback and that is no coincidence. It is clear that Martin Odegaard's return has got Arsenal back on track, but just how has that been the case?

How Martin Odegaard's return has put Arsenal back on track

Martin Odegaard is arguably Arsenal's best creator, and the comparison between his side's performances with and without him corroborates that.

In the four games he has started since his return, the Gunners have created a combined 15 big chances and 10.23xG (via FotMob). The previous four games, ones Odegaard would have likely started (excluding the 3-0 League Cup win at Preston), Arsenal created just nine big chances and 5.59xG.

The difference with and without Odegaard is clear, even on the statistical surface, and it is shown how much of an influence he has. It is evident even to the naked eye how the Norwegian has improved his side with his presence seeming to bring much more urgency and determination to the team.

Without their skipper, Arsenal looked dull and lifeless in attack, with an apparent reliance on set pieces at times. Five of the Gunners' 15 goals (33.33%) scored in the Premier League and Champions League without Odegaard came from set pieces. Arsenal's record since he returned is similar, with 35.7% of their 14 goals netted also coming from set-piece situations.

Despite the lower percentage, the Gunners seemed to rely on set pieces as their main source of goals when playing without Odegaard due to no real spark in attack. The captain's return has brought back that much-needed spark, along with their desire to score from open play and their brilliance from dead-ball situations.

Arsenal now looks a whole lot more positive when in possession, playing 871 forward passes in their last three league games, a drastic improvement on the 790 played in the three before (via Opta Analyst). The increase in desire is even further highlighted by the Gunners entering the final third on 164 occasions in their last three, 16 more times than the prior three.

The Gunners have managed to get completely up the pitch and pose more threat to opponents with Odegaard back in action as they have entered the penalty box 97 times in their last three league outings, an improvement of 13 from the three games before.

Odegaard's return has clearly improved Arsenal thanks to the impact he has in its attack on the creative front. It has allowed the Gunners to have a much more positive approach to games, something they lacked when without their skipper.

The dramatic change Odegaard has brought with him has got Arsenal back on track in both the Premier League and Champions League, potentially saving their season prospects. The Gunners now look ready to compete with the top dogs on both the domestic and continental stage.

READ ALL THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!!!