Arsenal ‘surprised’ Danny Murphy by struggling to create chances in the first half at Oxford United in the FA Cup. He also claims those issues ‘makes you appreciate’ Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian did not feature for a second at the Kassam Stadium on Monday night as his team took a 3-0 win. Mohamed Elneny (63’) and Eddie Nketiah (70’, 76’) scored to secure a fourth-round date away to their Premier League title rivals, Manchester City, on January 28.
Mikel Arteta elected to rest Odegaard away to the Gunners’ League One opposition amid a top-flight title push. Arsenal also visit north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in a tough run of fixtures. Before visiting Manchester City, they also host Manchester United.
Odegaard has started 16 of Arsenal’s 17 Premier League games so far this season. He only sat out their 3-0 win at Brentford on September 18 due to a calf injury the 24-year-old had suffered in training. Arteta also started him twice over six Europa League Group A outings.
The Drammen-born maestro has proven pivotal to Arteta’s team this term after taking over the Emirates Stadium club’s captaincy, too. While Odegaard has risen to the task with the £34m former Real Madrid creator producing seven goals and five assists so far this season.
Arsenal’s struggles at Oxford United highlighted Martin Odegaard’s importance
No Arsenal player has struck more goals than Odegaard’s seven so far this season across all competitions. Nketiah also now has seven goals after a brace against Oxford in the FA Cup. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have, likewise, hit seven goals in all competitions.
Only Gabriel Jesus (7) and Saka (6) have also laid on more assists than Odegaard (5) so far in 2022/23. But unlike his teammates, Odegaard has recorded each of his goals and assists in the Premier League. Martinelli has also hit seven top-flight goals and Saka has six assists.
So, Murphy appreciated what Odegaard produces even more after seeing Arsenal struggle to create in the first half at Oxford. The Gunners fashioned just two shots and had zero on target over the opening period with the score 0-0 at the Kassam Stadium, per WhoScored.
“I’m a bit surprised by how little Arsenal have created,” Murphy said on talkSPORT (09/01, 20:44). “It just makes you appreciate what Martin Odegaard does for the club.”
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