Ex-Arsenal star calls out Martin Odegaard for performance as captain

Daily Mirror

08-05-2025

Arsenal have not achieved what they hoped this season and captain Martin Odegaard has endured a difficult season despite the Gunners reaching the Champions League semi-final
Martin Odegaard has not been a strong enough leader at Arsenal this season, according to former Gunners star Bacary Sagna. The ex-France international believes the midfield star's standards have dropped this season with increased difficulties at the club.
Arsenal have failed to win silverware once again this season after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. The north London side still need to secure their place in the top four after failing to establish a title race against Liverpool, being knocked out of the FA Cup at the first attempt and reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
‌
Odegaard's presence was missed early in the season when he was ruled out by injury. The ex-Real Madrid ace has failed to recapture his form as the Gunners have relied on him for creativity however.
‌
Sagna does not believe Odegaard is solely responsible for his decline however. The 42-year-old would not take the captain's armband from the Denmark star and believes Arsenal not having a No.9 has had an impact.
'It's a tricky one because Martin Odegaard hasn't been playing well this season. Although sometimes there's more behind it. I don't care too much about personal situations but his influence in the club will decrease.
'I don't think the issue is due to the captaincy. Captaincy is given to a player who has good qualities and a strong personality. However, the way the games have been going – I don't think he has been [a strong enough leader]. He isn't as efficient as before.
'If you play without a number nine, it's much more difficult because the captain must organise the game and a lot of the time, he is standing by himself. There is nobody to assist in front of him. I would not remove captaincy from him because he remains a top player."
Following defeat to PSG, Odegaard has suggested Arsenal were not good enough in either box to go through. The 26-year-old wants his team to take the pain forward to drive success.
‌
"We gave it a proper go," said Odegaard. "We started the game really well. We were on the front foot, had the momentum, a few big chances but in the end it wasn't enough.
"Between the boxes we did well, inside the two over the two games we weren't good enough. Credit to their goalkeeper who made amazing saves. It wasn't enough and that's painful.
"In the boxes, especially today what we did with the ball between the boxes we dominated the ball and took the control of the game from the start. We were not strong enough in the boxes and that's where we lost it.
‌
"It's painful, we wanted to do the big thing, a big goal in the league and the Champions League. Massive disappointment but we have to stay strong and together. Take the lessons, take the pain and use it to come back stronger.
"We have to learn from this. We did a lot of good things but it's not enough. In front of goal is where games are decided and that's where we have to be sharper. We have to use this pain in a good way."