Gary Neville has recently highlighted two Arsenal players whom he believes hold greater significance to the team than Martin Odegaard.
Since joining Arsenal from Real Madrid on loan in January 2021, Odegaard has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Norwegian midfielder has made a notable impact, contributing 35 goals and 25 assists over 156 matches and currently serves as the team captain. However, he is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury, which Arteta estimates will require “a matter of weeks” for recovery.
In Neville’s assessment, Odegaard’s importance to Arsenal pales in comparison to that of Declan Rice and William Saliba. On the Stick to Football podcast, he expressed, “If you were [Manchester] City, he wouldn’t be the first player I would take out of Arsenal’s team.”
This remark underscores Neville’s belief that losing either Rice or Saliba would be a more significant blow to the team. He elaborated, “I would pick Rice or Saliba. I don’t know which one, but I would take Rice or Saliba out of the team before I picked Odegaard.”
Neville’s views gain additional weight in light of recent injuries affecting key players across the league. With Rodri of Manchester City facing a long-term injury, the need for a high-caliber replacement becomes apparent.
It’s evident that Pep Guardiola would greatly value a player of Rice’s talent to fill in for Rodri. However, securing Rice from Arsenal poses a daunting challenge, especially considering the fierce competition between the two clubs for the Premier League title over the past two years.
Neville’s perspective brings a critical lens to the discussion of player value and team dynamics at Arsenal. His comments reflect the understanding that while Odegaard is undoubtedly talented, the overall balance of the team may rely more heavily on the contributions of players like Rice and Saliba.
Arsenal’s current situation, especially with Odegaard’s injury, highlights the delicate interplay of player importance and team resilience in pursuit of success in the Premier League. As the season progresses, how these dynamics unfold will be pivotal for Arsenal’s ambitions on the pitch.
