Martin Ødegaard has admitted he has “not been good enough” this season, particularly in regards to his goals and assists output. The Arsenal captain has pulled no punches in his assessment of a campaign that was undermined by a two-month ankle injury layoff from early September.
Ødegaard was back to his driving and creative best in Arsenal’s 7-1 win at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday, scoring two and providing one assist. As he prepares for Sunday’s Premier League visit to Manchester United, he hopes it can mark a turning point.
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“I’m very used to people speaking about me, judging my performances and I do that myself,” said the 26-year-old. “I’m harder on myself and I know that I have not been good enough, especially in front of goal. I work hard every day to improve it and I know I have the ability and the talent to do it. PSV Eindhoven was good and hopefully now I can do more towards the end of the season.”
Arsenal are missing four key forwards through injury – Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. As such, it was encouraging for them to have six different scorers against PSV, including all three of their makeshift front line – Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard. Jurriën Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, on as a substitute, got the other goals from the full-back positions.
Ødegaard now has five goals and seven assists from 29 appearances in all competitions. Last season, it was 11 and 11 from 48. In 2022-23, it was 15 and seven from 45. “With the players we have out, the rest of us have to step up even more,” Ødegaard said. “It’s a good thing we can share the goals and hopefully we can keep doing that.”
There was a time when Arsenal versus United was the game of the English season. It is no longer the case, with Sunday’s hosts in turmoil. Stricken by injuries to important players, they have laboured to come to terms with what Ruben Amorim wants from his 3-4-2-1 system.
United’s last stirring performance came at Arsenal in the FA Cup penalty shootout win on 12 January. They have shown themselves to be capable of raising their game under Amorim against the very best away from home. It has been a different story at Old Trafford, a steady stream of frustration, particularly in the league where the performances have been even more worrying than the dismal results.
Ødegaard was asked whether Old Trafford still had its fear factor for opposing teams. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I mean, they’re not where they want to be in the table. It’s a big club which has struggled a little bit. They have a lot of individual quality and when they play as a team, it’s challenging to play them. But we go there to win. We’re Arsenal and we’re not scared.”
