Chris Sutton criticised Martin Odegaard on BBC Radio 5 Live as he felt the Arsenal maestro showed a ‘lack of composure’ as Crystal Palace beat their London rivals on Monday night.
Odegaard has often impressed Sutton since moving to north London, initially on loan, from Real Madrid last year. The Norway captain’s composure is often a trait the Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers hails him for, too. But he felt Odegaard’s standards slipped.
The 23-year-old suffered a very off-key evening at Selhurst Park from the levels he has so far shown in England. Rarely has the £34m playmaker appeared as off the pace as he did in south London, where his use of the ball was poor with misplaced passes and a loose touch.
Odegaard additionally spurned a great chance to claw Arsenal back into their meeting with Crystal Palace in the 67th-minute. Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew had given the Eagles the lead during the first-half. But Odegaard could only scuff a strike wide.
And to make matters worse for the 23-year-old, referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot to award Crystal Palace a penalty Wilfried Zaha would convert, after giving himself plenty of time to decide if Odegaard had tripped the winger as he cut back inside Arsenal’s area.
Chris Sutton felt Martin Odegaard showed ‘lack of composure’ in Arsenal defeat
Mikel Arteta allowed Odegaard to play the full 90 minutes as Arsenal lost at Crystal Palace on Monday night. It was the 13th such occasion during a Premier League fixture since his permanent summer switch from Spain. But it will also be one that he wants to forget soon.
Arteta will also hope to see Odegaard bounce back from his Selhurst Park struggles when Arsenal host Brighton on Saturday. The Spaniard can ill-afford to see the 39-cap Norwegian endure a repeat performance from the efforts Sutton criticised as they target the top four.
“A lack of composure from Martin Odegaard,” Sutton said. “I would always describe him as a composed player, but not this evening.”
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