Arsenal star named Premier League’s ‘most important’ player as biggest problem in winless run

Martin Keown explained why he believes an Arsenal attacker is the most important player in the Premier League, while the former defender also gave insight into the club’s struggles in the final third.

When thinking about who is the most important player in the Premier League, names such as Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, William Saliba or Bukayo Saka may come to mind.

But according to Arsenal invincible Keown, the honor actually belongs to him Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal have struggled greatly in the absence of their highly creative captain, but thankfully for Mikel Arteta, Odegaard was named in the starting 11 in the last game against Chelsea. However, the Gunners still could not win in this competition and extended their winless streak in the league to four games.

Odegaard will arguably play a key role in determining whether Arsenal can end their 20-plus year wait for the Premier League title with teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.

and talk talkSPORTWhile Keown claimed that Odegaard’s importance in the current EPL environment is unique, he also stated that the biggest problem with Arsenal’s recent attacking play is predictability.

“I think it became clear when Odegaard was unavailable,” Keown began. “The creativity it created was very important. Considering how well Odegaard has done, it would be like taking Cole Palmer out of the Chelsea team.

“I think, first of all, coming back after being out for six weeks and running like he did shows how he works off the field.

“He set up Arsenal’s goal, it was great to see Martinelli score that goal (against Chelsea) but lately we have become predictable with the opposition goal.

“Maybe that would be at the top of the shopping list for a striker, but Arsenal’s problems so far this season have actually been discipline and injuries.”

Keown added: “Now that Odegaard is back, I think his performance (against Chelsea) deserves praise.

“Staying out for this long shows how hard-working he is, he hit the ground running, he created the goal. Arteta will now pray and hope for his luck to turn.”

Keown continued: “Arsenal aren’t winning tough games this season, they did last year; Inter are one of them and unfortunately lost the match with a controversial decision.

“They scored 91 (Premier League) goals last season but most of them were from Odegaard and his circle. And (Smile) Smith Rowe was allowed to leave (to join Fulham) because Odegaard didn’t miss a single match for two years and look, Smith Rowe left with our approval.

“But you can see now that if (Arteta) had him he could be useful, (Ethan) Nwaneri is probably six months away from where the manager wants him to be.

“So it held him back a little bit, he’s a really good talent so the timing doesn’t help from an Arsenal perspective.

“But it’s one of those situations where the manager says, ‘Right, you’ve got to show your teeth, you’ve got to get out there in the next game and it’s got to be three points, it’s got to be six or seven points.’You’ve got games now where you’re really putting Liverpool under pressure.’

“Odegaard created 102 chances (last season), more than anyone else in the Premier League, and won the ball back 41 times in the final third.

“So I’m hard-pressed to find a more important player in the Premier League, whether with or without the ball.

“It’s a shame to say it can’t be about one player, but we can look at Manchester City and say no Rodri has had that spiraling effect. Sometimes players are irreplaceable and that’s what Odegaard was for Arsenal.”

Latest Arsenal news – Trossard, Sterling, Baena

In other news Postal Plus Arsenal report Meeting with Leandro Trossard It’s about a new contract.

The Belgian, who turns 30 next month, is on track to receive a ‘significant’ pay rise and remains an important cog for Arteta.

On the other hand, former Premier League striker Stan Collymore took aim at Raheem Sterling and the difficult period he has had at Arsenal so far.

“Raheem Sterling was a huge disappointment” Collymore told Metro. “He came and told the club he would do his best but it didn’t happen.

“It can be said that he has made a mess so far and he has certainly been one of the underachievers of the season, promising to do his best at Arsenal. An experienced player who has done everything possible to win, he was expected to take the dressing room to the next level but he did not.”

Finally, Arsenal took the first steps towards transferring assist king Alex Baena. artillery I observed the Villarreal attacker Baena featured alongside Mikel Merino during Spain’s encounter with Denmark last Friday.

Baena led La Liga with 14 assists last season, while his deal at Villarreal has a release clause of €60 million.