Under-performing Arsenal star backed to mastermind another Man Utd defeat | Football

Martin Odegaard may not be having the best season of his career, but former Premier League boss Harry Redknapp has tipped him to ‘run the show’ in an Arsenal win over Manchester United this weekend.

The Norwegian’s campaign has been hampered by injury, but he has admitted himself that he has not been good enough in terms of providing goals and assists.

The 26-year-old has scored just two Premier League goals this season and provided three assists in the top flight.

Considering he netted 15 league goals in the 2022/23 season and eight the next campaign, it has been a fairly significant drop-off.

However, he sprung back into life on Tuesday as Arsenal walloped PSV 7-1 in the Champions League, with Odegaard scoring twice and laying on an assist.

Redknapp certainly liked what he saw and fancies him to continue that form when he goes to Old Trafford on Sunday.

‘Martin Odegaard caught the eye during the week and could run the show here,’ Redknapp told BetVictor.

Redknapp reckons Odegaard will help his side to a victory in Manchester, not being able to see how the Red Devils can threaten a sturdy Arsenal defence.

‘Manchester United weren’t great against Fulham but I thought they were alright in the week against Real Sociedad, but I’m not sure how much that game will have taken out of these players, particularly with the second leg looming next week,’ the former Spurs boss said.

‘As for Arsenal, where on earth did that performance in Eindhoven come from? I know some people will say PSV were terrible but Arsenal were superb and looked much more like themselves going forward.

‘I can only see the away win here; I don’t know how United can threaten that solid Arsenal backline.’

Speaking after the huge win in Eindhoven, Odegaard admitted that he has not done enough in terms of scoring and providing goals this season, but hopes he is heading back in the right direction after that performance in the Champions League.

‘Every player in my position want to influence the game with goals and assists and it’s something I haven’t been good enough at this season,’ he said. ‘But two goals and one assist tonight is a good step.’

Speaking ahead of the big game at Old Trafford this weekend, Arteta was asked if Odegaard was being a bit hard on himself as he contributes a lot more to the team outside of goals.

‘Yeah, obviously, when you isolate data and you’re looking at certain aspects of the game, that cannot reflect just the overall performance of a player for sure,’ said the Gunners boss.

‘But he’s got the ability to do that while you’re talking about in that phase and then still arrive in great positions, in great situations to provide assists and to score a goal. And he’s proven that many times in the other games. I think he was a very good example of that.’

On the trip to Manchester, for which Arsenal will be firm favourites, Arteta talked up the abilities of their opponents.

‘The players that they have, the coach that they have. Watching the game last night against Real Sociedad, it’s very clear that they are very capable to put on a really strong performance and beat you on the day,’ he said.

‘We know that. We know the difficulty of the match. That’s how we prepared.’

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