The Truth Behind Martin Odegaard’s Form: 3 Reasons Why Arsenal Captain is Struggling

Martin Odegaard is a brilliant footballer. One of the best midfielders in the world. There should be no doubting his quality, and yet Arsenal fans are beginning to grow impatient with their captain.

When you look at his form of late, it would be unfair to judge them too harshly for doing so, either. The Norwegian has scored just twice in the Premier League so far this season. When you are trying to win a title, more will rightfully be demanded of a club’s chief creative midfielder.

Expectations of Odegaard are fair to be high. After all, he has been voted Arsenal Player of the Season in the previous two campaigns. At the moment, though, he is far from meeting the standards he previously met with ease.

In the 1-0 home defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final first leg, for instance, he was such a non-entity that French media scathingly referred to him as a ‘ghost’, guilty of ‘continually making bad decisions.’

A player of such quality, however, rarely just drops off in form overnight for no reason. As such, here are three explanations as to why Odegaard has been off the pace this season. For optimistic fans, they could also signal a return to form in the future.

Suffered “Significant” Ankle Ligament Injury

Rushed back to action

The most obvious explanation for Odegaard’s poor performances can be attributed to the injury he picked up for Norway in their Nations League tie against Austria during the September international break. Mikel Arteta would later confirm just how severe the damage to his ankle was, remarking:

“The scan showed that he has some damage in the ligament in his ankle. It’s something quite significant.”

As a result, the midfielder would be out from September until November, missing a total of 14 games. Such is his importance to the team, Odegaard came directly back into the starting line-up, starting the next nine Premier League games on the bounce – he’s only missed one league game since, through illness.

In normal circumstances, a player would be eased back into action, but with the Gunners fighting for a league title – and lacking a natural replacement for the attacking midfield role – the club captain has had an unrelenting schedule ever since his absence.

While the player has yet to come out and suggest he is playing through pain, his lack of form this season may well suggest some lingering issues from the ankle ligament injury suffered in September. As the stats below show, his goal contributions have significantly declined, and he’s also creating less, and dribbling with poorer quality, which potentially points to some physical issue – as does his reduced playing time per 90.

Fitness Issues Have ‘Decimated’ His Key Partnerships

Ben White and Bukayo Saka have spent long periods out too

Injury issues have been a theme for the Gunners all season, and they are a theme in this article too. Not only has Odegaard struggled for fitness, but two of his key teammates have also spent big spells on the sidelines.

Anyone who has watched Arsenal over the past three seasons will be able to point out the club’s biggest strength in attack. In simple terms, it’s Bukayo Saka. But for those with a little more knowledge, they would point to his link-up with Odegaard and Ben White on the right-hand side of the team.

When fit, that trio – or pod – moves with perfect fluidity. As an overlapping fullback, White makes runs, overlapping and underlapping to pull defenders away, while also providing an extra passing option for Odegaard. Saka requires at least two defenders to stop, which again creates more space for the Arsenal captain to knit it all together with his supreme technical ability and vision.

However, much like Odegaard, White and Saka have also missed huge chunks of the season. With the winger out for just under 100 days, missing 19 matches, and the right-back missing 27 games – plus even more once fit, with Jurrien Timber displacing him in the first team.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Odegaard, Saka, and White have missed 60 games between them in total this season through injury.



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Trusted journalist Charles Watts spoke about the negative impact it’s had on Odegaard’s season, noting:

“When you assess Odegaard’s form you have to consider a bit of context. The right-hand side of the attack that he has become so accustomed to and successful with has been totally decimated.”

This theory was proved in April’s 4-0 thrashing of Ipswich. As remarked by The Athletic’s Arte de Roche, it was the trio’s first Premier League start together for 161 days and they ‘instantly restored fluidity to Arsenal’s right-sided attacks.’

When asked about the trio’s return against Ipwchuh, Arteta gave a knowing sigh and simply said: “Unbelievable, eh?”

Odegaard Has Also Become A Father For the First Time

Jamie Carragher has warned about distractions of parenthood

Finally, there could be a third reason, away from the field, which could explain his drop-off in form. Admittedly, this is what some might refer to as a ‘soft factor’ as it’s near-impossible to measure the true impact, but it’s worth taking into account – even if only to add more context.

In December 2024, not long after he had returned from his injury, Odegaard announced the birth of his first child. As fans, were expect footballers to be able to completely separate personal lives from professional lives, but when it comes to parenthood, this is understandably difficult.

Sleep, for example, can be in short supply for any new parents. Cristiano Ronaldo attributes a healthy sleeping schedule to playing a key role in his longevity, so it shouldn’t be overlooked as a potentially impacting factor for Odegaard of late.

As a father in his 20s too, Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has even gone on the record, warning players not to have children at that age as it can prove to be a major ‘distraction’.

There is no guarantee that any of these factors are to blame for Odegaard’s poor form. But he’s such a talented player, it’s hard to believe he has just lost all his ability overnight.

At the very least, if he can get fit and well-rested over the summer, and spend next season without having to worry about his own fitness – or that of his teammates – then Arsenal fans may well get to see the best of their captain once more.