Ray Parlour has drawn a comparison between Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and club legend Dennis Bergkamp, advocating for the Norwegian’s inclusion in the starting lineup against Chelsea, even if he’s only partially fit.
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Parlour, a former Arsenal midfielder himself, shared on talkSPORT that Odegaard’s return from a lengthy injury could provide Arsenal with the creative spark they’ve been lacking in recent games.
Odegaard, sidelined for 12 matches with ankle ligament damage sustained on international duty in September, finally returned to the field briefly during Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
Although his late appearance was short, it offered Arsenal fans a glimmer of hope amidst their recent struggles.
During Odegaard’s absence, Arsenal’s performance suffered noticeably. The Gunners have gathered only one point in their last three Premier League matches, a stark contrast to their usual form.
Arteta’s men faced a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday, a result that added to their recent slump. However, Arteta remains tight-lipped on whether Odegaard will start against Chelsea, leaving fans wondering if their captain will make a full comeback on Sunday.
Parlour emphasized Odegaard’s unique qualities, particularly his vision and ability to create opportunities in tight spaces, a skillset that he likens to the legendary Dennis Bergkamp.
Parlour noted that Arsenal’s current midfield lineup, which includes Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, and the newly added Mikel Merino, tends to be strong yet lacks Odegaard’s creative finesse.
“He’s got the vision, he’s got that creativity,” Parlour commented, highlighting Odegaard’s knack for finding spaces and generating chances that Arsenal has sorely missed. He also suggested that even if Odegaard isn’t fully fit, playing him for at least 70 minutes could make a significant difference.
Reflecting on Odegaard’s potential impact, Parlour recounted the recent match against Newcastle, where Arsenal struggled to break down a well-organized defense.
Odegaard, Parlour argues, would have provided the inventiveness necessary to unlock Newcastle’s defense. His presence on the pitch could offer Arsenal something distinct from their other midfielders, making him invaluable against a challenging opponent like Chelsea.
Paul Merson, another former Arsenal star, echoed Parlour’s sentiments. Previewing the upcoming Chelsea clash, Merson urged Arteta to take a calculated risk on Odegaard.
Merson emphasized that, depending on the results of Manchester City and Liverpool’s games earlier on Super Sunday, Arsenal could find themselves in a must-win situation. In such a scenario, he feels Odegaard’s influence could be pivotal.
“If City and Liverpool win, Odegaard has to start,” Merson remarked. He pointed out that Odegaard’s availability may be a gamble worth taking, especially with the international break approaching, where Odegaard would likely be called up by Norway.
As Arsenal prepare for a critical showdown with Chelsea, Odegaard’s return could prove decisive. Whether Arteta will heed Parlour and Merson’s advice and reintroduce Odegaard to the starting lineup remains to be seen.
Arsenal fans will be hoping that Odegaard, drawing inspiration from Bergkamp’s legacy, can help their team regain its footing in the Premier League and secure a crucial victory at Stamford Bridge.