Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has hit out at Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. He believes that the Norwegian is not playing in his position properly, and it is causing issues for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Speaking on The Overlap’s Fan Debate, Scholes said that he likes Odegaard, but the Arsenal captain needs to understand his position on the pitch. He claimed that the midfielder was dropping too deep and that was affecting the flow of the game, as there was a gaping hole in the attack. He said:
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“That game on Saturday, I didn’t see all of it, I probably saw the first half-an-hour, but I think Odegaard is a big problem for them as well. I think the number ten position…I love Odegaard, I think he’s brilliant. Technically he’s great, but he doesn’t play his position properly. Half the time I saw him in the first 20 minutes, he is almost the deepest man…that football, it’s just bull***t.”
“Whether they have been told that or not (to go deep), Odegaard is a number ten and connects your midfield to your forward play, and you wonder why there is no flow in your team when he is behind (Martin) Zubimendi and (Declan) Rice.” (via Mirror)
Arsenal have climbed back to the top of the Premier League table after their win over Newcastle United. Manchester City have a game in hand once again, where they face Crystal Palace.
Manchester United legend questions Arsenal star
Paul Scholes went on to talk about Martin Zubimendi, saying that the Arsenal star was finding it hard to deal with the pressure in the Premier League. The Manchester United legend believes that the lack of experience of playing in a title race has affected the Spaniard and said:
“He won’t have gone for a title in Spain with Sociedad I suppose and when I had seen him for Sociedad, you were saying if I remember rightly he as someone who progresses the ball up the pitch and I never saw him as that.”
“I didn’t see him loads, but I never thought he was going to be a player who was going to make your team play good football and I think your central midfield player has to do that. I don’t think he progresses the game enough.” (via Mirror)
Zubimendi has been in poor form in recent weeks, after a strong start to the season with the Gunners. He has been their main man in the pivot with Declan Rice offering support.
Edited by Sripad
