Arsenal’s Invincible right-back Lauren has sent Mikel Arteta a message in regards to how he should use Martin Ødegaard at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking to Goal, the 44-year-old said: “I will never say to play Ødegaard on the wing, he is more of a No.10. If you play 4-4-2 and use him in that four like a diamond [it could work]. He should always be behind the strikers because he is a player who can link very well.”
We couldn’t agree more.
There are few things more infuriating that a manager shoving a central attacking midfielder out wide, simply to squeeze him in the team.
You need pace if you’re to play out wide, and while the 25-cap Norway international isn’t exactly slow, he doesn’t possess blistering speed.
If Arteta were to play him out wide, there is the risk that Ødegaard fails to make his mark on matches.
He could get dominated in one-on-ones up against physical full-backs.
The 22-year-old would operate best in a No.10 role, where he can float in between the lines and pick up gaps where he avoids these one-on-one duels.
Ødegaard isn’t the most physical footballer, so he will need to outwit opponents using his brain which feels more likely to happen in the centre.
Additionally, Arteta has the likes of Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe to play out wide, so there’s no need to play the on-loan Real Madrid maestro there.
The Gunners boss should most certainly adhere to Lauren’s advice.
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