Merson now claims why Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is ‘unlike’ himself

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Paul Merson has now claimed Martin Odegaard let his standards slip as Arsenal lost 1-0 to Everton. But the Gunners captain was also not Mikel Arteta’s only player to underperform.

The Toffees stunned Arsenal to beat the Premier League leaders in Sean Dyche’s first game at the Goodison Park helm. He replaced Frank Lampard in charge five days before Arsenal travelled to Merseyside. Yet Everton managed to get the better of the table-topping team.

One of the issues Merson saw with Arsenal’s performance at Everton was that players like Odegaard were slow in possession. The Gunners great believes the Emirates Stadium side failed to play to their usual standards. So, their sub-par performance caused their defeat.

Everton rarely gave Odegaard the time or space on the ball to influence proceedings as the 24-year-old can for Arsenal. The Toffees did well to stop the ball getting to the Norwegian in the first half in particular. Odegaard also failed to take the few chances that fell his way.

The £34m signing from Real Madrid in August 2021 fired arguably his best shot of the clash over the bar. Arteta also took Odegaard off after 77 minutes at Everton as the Arsenal boss sought a response. It was the earliest he has left a Premier League match since October 16.

Merson now claims why Arsenal captain Odegaard was ‘unlike’ himself at Everton

Arteta has started Odegaard in all 19 of his Premier League appearances so far this season. He has also kept his playmaker on the pitch until the 80th minute or later in 15 games. The £115k-a-week maestro only missed their win at Brentford in September with a calf injury.

Odegaard is also Arsenal’s top scorer in the top-flight so far this term with eight goals. The Norway skipper has laid on seven assists, as well, one fewer than the Gunners’ lead creator Bukayo Saka. But Merson felt Odegaard let his standards slip whilst Arsenal lost at Everton.

“Arsenal were not moving the ball like they usually do,” Merson wrote in a column for Sky Sports. “Martin Odegaard was taking too many touches on the ball, which is unlike him. They were not popping the ball about quickly and their play was slow.”