Welcome to The Radar. Nick Wright’s Sky Sports column combines data and opinion to highlight must-know stories from the top and bottom of the Premier League. this week:
🔴 Odegaard’s unique value to Arsenal
📈 Is Man City’s best yet to come?
🔍 Players to watch this weekend
Odegaard has regained his form.
As soon as Martin Odegaard started running towards Aston Villa’s box, Martin Zvimendi started running and didn’t stop until he reached the corner flag, at which point he was celebrating his first goal with an assist he later described as “perfect”.
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Paul Merson believes Arsenal can easily win the Premier League title
Odegaard’s pass saw six defenders sent off, allowing his team-mates to maintain momentum and beat Emiliano Martinez. “When Martin has the ball, he has to run because he has the quality to spot the pass,” added Zvimendi.
The accuracy of his passing was vintage Odegaard, reminding me of the words of his former boyhood coach at Stromsgossett in Norway, Daniel Nielsen. “I’ve worked with a lot of really good players and I know what football is like when you’re overtaken by Martin Odegaard,” he told Sky Sports last year.
Odegaard was, of course, a uniquely gifted teenager. “Technically he was ridiculous and his work ethic was out of this world,” Nielsen added. “It led to a completely different touch on the ball, a completely different level of passing, anticipation and attracting defenders.”
Martin Odegaard’s pass aimed at Martin Zvimendi’s goal bypassed six defenders.
Ten years later, his performance against Aston Villa showed the same qualities. The assist for the second goal was a standout moment, but there were many others. Odegaard led the team in touches, chance creation, shots and final third passes.
It was a similarly influential display against Brighton, with Odegaard scoring the opening goal with the same characteristic precision. The Arsenal captain has finally looked back to his best after overcoming injury.
Martin Odegaard’s passing map against Aston Villa highlights his influence
After Tuesday’s game, Mikel Arteta said: “Now he’s feeling better and you can see his energy levels are back to normal.” “He takes risks and has a big impact on the game.”
Odegaard had a disappointing season last season, struggling to make his usual impact. His quality as captain was questioned not only by the fans but also by Tony Adams. When Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze in August, many felt he would join the team in his place.
It’s been five months and it’s Eze who is struggling for a few minutes.
Eze brings different qualities. Odegaard lacks explosive power and one-on-one ability. But few players can match him in terms of pure creativity. There was plenty of evidence of that this season, despite interruptions due to shoulder and knee injuries.
Martin Odegaard ranks highly in various creative indicators
Odegaard ranks fourth in chances created per 90 minutes and third in chances created from open play. His passing acuity can also be seen in the number of through balls, line-breaking passes in the final third and passes into the box.
Arsenal’s summer additions have given Arteta a squad of quality in all areas. They have four points at mid-season and have already shown that they are far better able to deal with injuries to key players, including Odegaard.
But even at his best, what the 27-year-old offers remains unique.
Although he has been described as a ‘technical leader’, he is just as influential in possession, working tirelessly to contain Arsenal’s opponents, adjusting their press and forcing turnovers like the one that set up Zvimendi’s goal on Tuesday.
Saturday, January 3rd, 5pm
5:30pm kickoff
Odegaard won the ball more than any other Arsenal player in the games against Brighton and Aston Villa. So far this season, Arsenal have won 10 of the 11 games he has started, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four.
His challenge now is to build on recent performances, starting with Saturday’s away game to Bournemouth, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. However, he can count on the support of his manager. Recent evidence suggests that Odegaard remains an integral part of Arteta’s team when he is fit.
He accepted a slightly different role. Many expected Martin Zvimendi to succeed Thomas Partey as the permanent number six. Instead, the Spanish international is encouraged to rotate with both Odegaard and Declan Rice.
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Watch highlights of Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa for free
His goal against Aston Villa, when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper after an Odegaard pass, was a perfect example of positional fluidity. Zvimendi has been involved in six goals, already equaling Partey’s total for all of last season.
Rotation has proven difficult for Arsenal’s opponents to deal with and Odegaard has shown the tactical intelligence to adapt to what is required of him. The team’s average position compared to last season shows he is functioning deeper.
Martin Odegaard has played a bit deeper in Arsenal’s midfield this season.
This figure underlines his continued influence in the final third despite the changes. Nielsen, on the other hand, praises the subtlety of his game as well as his defense-splitting passes.
“I can’t watch the match with him and think about the actual match.
“I just watch every time he touches the ball. I always go back five seconds from the moment he receives the ball, because that’s when you see Martin’s true qualities.”
“For me as a coach, the most incredible thing is the way he moves before he receives the ball and prepares to receive the ball.
“It’s just the brain being on a different level.”
Despite their injury problems, Arsenal’s prospects look brighter than ever, with them four points clear and with him showing that level again.
Man City could also become stronger
Arsenal can take heart from Odegaard’s return to form, but Manchester City also have reasons for optimism. Pep Guardiola was relaxed after the Gunners’ draw with Sunderland, which was no surprise.
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Arsenal or Man City? Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge discuss title fight
Rodri’s return as a second-half substitute at the Stadium of Light will be worth more than the two points conceded there for City based on his performance. The introduction of Nico Gonzalez at half-time completely changed the team.
The Ballon d’Or winner has been plagued by injuries since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last season, but he looked like his old self on Thursday. Jeremy Doku also performed well after returning from a foot injury, but perhaps the much-anticipated arrival of Antoine Semenyo provided motivation. City’s best may yet be yet to come.
Player Radar: Other Players to Watch
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in fine form at Leeds, but there are also promising signs from the player who replaced him at Everton. Tierno Barry has scored twice in his last four starts against Nottingham Forest and will be hoping to trouble Brentford on Sunday.
Live Radar: What’s on Sky this weekend?
Two Premier League matches will be broadcast live on Sky on Saturday, with Aston Villa taking on Nottingham Forest at 12.30pm, before Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth, live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 11.30am, kick-off at 5.30pm.
There will be plenty of viewing options on Sunday, with Everton v Brentford, Fulham v Liverpool, Newcastle v Crystal Palace and Tottenham v Sunderland all available to watch on Sky Sports from 2pm, kicking off at 3pm, ahead of Manchester City v Chelsea’s clash at 5.30pm.
Read last week’s Radar column
Is it service or performance? Our last column focused on Victor Gokeres’ difficult start to life at Arsenal.
