Paul Scholes Criticizes Martin Odegaard’s Dependence on Bukayo Saka
Paul Scholes has expressed his concerns regarding Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard’s reliance on teammate Bukayo Saka.
During a conversation with fellow Manchester United icon Gary Neville, Scholes noted that Odegaard has faced challenges this season, particularly when Saka has been unavailable.
“Saka’s absence is problematic because Odegaard seems to link up well with him,” Scholes mentioned on The Overlap.
He added, “I don’t believe he has the same chemistry with Viktor Gyokeres; he might connect better with Kai Havertz.”
Saka recently returned to action after a spell on the sidelines. The 24-year-old has had a troubling history with injuries; last season, he missed 21 matches due to a torn hamstring. This season, he has encountered additional issues, including more hamstring problems, a hip issue, and an Achilles injury. Manager Mikel Arteta has been cautious about revealing specific details, merely stating it was “something he has been carrying for a while.”
Upon his return, Arsenal secured a victory against Newcastle, rekindling their quest for the Premier League top spot.
Rethinking Martin Odegaard’s Role
Scholes emphasized the flaws in Odegaard’s positioning without Saka’s presence.
The former midfielder remarked that Odegaard “isn’t occupying his position effectively.”
Discussing the match against Newcastle, Scholes criticized, “Much of the time in the first 20 minutes, he was nearly the deepest player on the pitch. It simply doesn’t make sense.”
He questioned, “How can one expect to develop team fluidity when he is positioned behind Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice?”
When asked if poor positioning was due to Arteta’s tactics or Odegaard’s choices, Scholes responded, “Regardless of instructions given, Odegaard is a No. 10; he should be the link between midfield and attack.”
Odegaard’s Importance for Arsenal’s Future
Despite Scholes’ criticisms, Odegaard is expected to remain a crucial contributor in the upcoming matches. Under Arteta’s leadership, he has played a significant role and was honored as the club’s Player of the Season in both 2023 and 2024.
Having faced a challenging season marred by injuries, he has only appeared in 22 matches this season, a drop from 30 appearances last season and 37 in the 2022-23 season. Should both Odegaard and Saka maintain their fitness, they could prove pivotal in Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures.
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