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Martin Ødegaard vs Eibar & what it means for Arsenal: A thread
One of Martin Ødegaard's finest games for Real Sociedad was against Eibar in the La Liga. He scored & got an assist in their 4-1 win.
He was deployed as an RCM (which suits him due to his security in the first & second phase) with the license to roam in attack.
He was deployed as an RCM (which suits him due to his security in the first & second phase) with the license to roam in attack.
Note:
-This is a condensed version of my article for @FutbolIdealist which will be linked at the end of this thread, if you want to look at extra match events & thoughts, have a read of it.
-This is a condensed version of my article for @FutbolIdealist which will be linked at the end of this thread, if you want to look at extra match events & thoughts, have a read of it.
The Numbers:
90 minutes played
85 touches
1 Goal
1 Assist
6 Key passes
2 Big chances created
3/4 Crosses completed
3/3 Long balls completed
50/61 Passes completed
8/11 Duels won
10 Shot Creating actions
73 Carries/9 Progressive Carries
90 minutes played
85 touches
1 Goal
1 Assist
6 Key passes
2 Big chances created
3/4 Crosses completed
3/3 Long balls completed
50/61 Passes completed
8/11 Duels won
10 Shot Creating actions
73 Carries/9 Progressive Carries
Minutes 1-24:
- He slowly got himself involved in the game, dropping deep a few times before the 4th minute, and misplacing a few passes. He offered Elustundo & Zaldua an extra body to help build from the right-hand side.
- He slowly got himself involved in the game, dropping deep a few times before the 4th minute, and misplacing a few passes. He offered Elustundo & Zaldua an extra body to help build from the right-hand side.
- Once Elustondo got Injured with Le Normand (RLM) replacing him in the 9th minute, Ødegaard started to drift wide more frequently to allow RLM to progress forward
- In the 11th minute, he drifted between the opposition RB-RCB to help Oyarzabal out as he was isolated on the LHS
- In the 11th minute, he drifted between the opposition RB-RCB to help Oyarzabal out as he was isolated on the LHS
- Ødegaard was able to create a situation where Portu was isolated with the Eibar FB in the 21st minute. During the 20th/21st min, he was able to evade pressure from 2 oppo. players to get the ball into the path of Portu, instead of recycling the ball back to Merino.
Min 25-45
-He took a great freekick on the 25th minute that fell in the path of RLM who scored Sociedad's first goal of the night.
- In the 32nd min, he picked up the ball from the halfway line & he was able to isolate Portu with the opposition. Nothing special, but nice to see.
-He took a great freekick on the 25th minute that fell in the path of RLM who scored Sociedad's first goal of the night.
- In the 32nd min, he picked up the ball from the halfway line & he was able to isolate Portu with the opposition. Nothing special, but nice to see.
- Zaldua found it difficult to pass to Ødegaard as there were 4 Eibar players surrounding him. He got close to Zaldua, received it, played it back to Zaldua & ran into unoccupied space. His off the ball movement is shown here & shows how quickly he reacts to emerging situations.
Minutes 45-60
- Ødegaard helped develop play on the RHS with combination play which ended up with Oyarzabal scoring after a Portu cross to his feet.
The RHS dynamic is where Arsenal have lacked before ESR's emergence. Ødegaard offers Arsenal another rotation option there.
- Ødegaard helped develop play on the RHS with combination play which ended up with Oyarzabal scoring after a Portu cross to his feet.
The RHS dynamic is where Arsenal have lacked before ESR's emergence. Ødegaard offers Arsenal another rotation option there.
Cont.
Ødegaard has develops a great understanding with the RW, something Saka/Pépé will have to take advantage of once he's there.
- On the 51st min, Ødegaard was able to dribble around 3 oppo. players to free up space & released the ball to a deeper player.
Ødegaard has develops a great understanding with the RW, something Saka/Pépé will have to take advantage of once he's there.
- On the 51st min, Ødegaard was able to dribble around 3 oppo. players to free up space & released the ball to a deeper player.
Cont.
Ødegaard being able to dribble out of such situations helps Arsenal get an extra body there in order to attack the newly-vacant areas. This is dependent on there being a deeper midfielder to pass into those areas though (as was the case with Mikel Merino that game.)
Ødegaard being able to dribble out of such situations helps Arsenal get an extra body there in order to attack the newly-vacant areas. This is dependent on there being a deeper midfielder to pass into those areas though (as was the case with Mikel Merino that game.)
Min 61-90
- Ødegaard is a GREAT presser. In the 63rd min, Eibar thought they found an opening on the RHS of Sociedad, but the persistence of Ødegaard forced them to go back & retreat.
- He had a freekick on the left hand side that he was able to trouble the keeper with.
- Ødegaard is a GREAT presser. In the 63rd min, Eibar thought they found an opening on the RHS of Sociedad, but the persistence of Ødegaard forced them to go back & retreat.
- He had a freekick on the left hand side that he was able to trouble the keeper with.
Cont.
As he is able to get the ball in the box from deep in deadball situations, it resolves the freekick dilemma Arsenal face when Nico Pépé is not on the pitch. That being said, I prefer him taking freekicks on the left rather than on the right.
As he is able to get the ball in the box from deep in deadball situations, it resolves the freekick dilemma Arsenal face when Nico Pépé is not on the pitch. That being said, I prefer him taking freekicks on the left rather than on the right.
- Ødegaard scored a great goal. He was able to pick up the ball, played it to Portu on the right of the box, he delayed a bit & cut back for Ødegaard who scored from outside the box.
This goal type is definitely repeatable. Let Ødegaard create space and it will happen often.
This goal type is definitely repeatable. Let Ødegaard create space and it will happen often.
General thoughts:
He had a great game as an RCM. He can press efficiently, he can create space for himself & his teammate, he can dribble very well. He's capable of helping out defensively as well. The only issue is his fitness after the 80th minute, but rotation would avoid that
He had a great game as an RCM. He can press efficiently, he can create space for himself & his teammate, he can dribble very well. He's capable of helping out defensively as well. The only issue is his fitness after the 80th minute, but rotation would avoid that
What does this mean for Arsenal?
Despite being better as an AM, Ødegaard has shown promise as a strong CM. Mikel Arteta has spoken about his desire to play a 4-3-3 in the past & Ødegaard can slowly facilitate such a change if needed be.
Despite being better as an AM, Ødegaard has shown promise as a strong CM. Mikel Arteta has spoken about his desire to play a 4-3-3 in the past & Ødegaard can slowly facilitate such a change if needed be.
If you would like to read this in a bit more detail, take a read of my piece for @FutbolIdealist on Ødegaard's performance this game 
http://www.futbolidealists.com/blog/martin-degaard-vs-eibar-amp-what-does-this-mean-for-arsenal
http://www.futbolidealists.com/blog/martin-degaard-vs-eibar-amp-what-does-this-mean-for-arsenal
