Kevin Campbell has lamented the ‘catastrophic’ error that Martin Odegaard made for Arsenal on Thursday.
Arsenal lost 3-2 away to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty is what made the difference for a Gunners side that could – and probably should – have returned to North London with three points.
And it was a rash, clumsy challenge from Odegaard which led to Ronaldo firing United ahead from the penalty spot.
But the Norway international also got Arsenal back on level terms with a wonderful, sweeping finish from outside the box.
Campbell told The Highbury Squad on YouTube: “I’m going to give him a 6.5. Beautiful finish, with his wrong foot.” And on the penalty concession, Campbell added: “Yeah. It’s catastrophic in the end, isn’t it?”
Epitome
Thursday night pretty much epitomised Odegaard’s Arsenal career. Mikel Arteta brought him back to the Emirates Stadium in a £30 million permanent deal, having impressed on loan last term.
But for every brilliant thing that Odegaard manages, there’s usually something not so great which kind of negates it in the first place.
It’s worth pointing out that he has less than a year of Premier League football under his belt. However, for £30 million, Arsenal fans might’ve been expecting more consistency and football intelligence from him.
Listen, the guy played for Real Madrid – well, kind of – and therefore there is evidently a player in there, regardless of whether the supporters are completely convinced by him or not.
And lest we forget that Odegaard is still only 23. Improvement is inevitable.
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