Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has come under fresh criticism after former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent urged manager Mikel Arteta to consider dropping him from the starting lineup.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent said Odegaard has not been influential enough in recent matches and believes the midfielder is no longer providing the creativity expected of him. According to Bent, Arsenal should explore other options as they push for consistency in the Premier League.
Bent pointed to Eberechi Eze’s recent performances as a strong reason for change, insisting the midfielder deserves a run of games. He argued that although Odegaard showed brief signs of improvement after returning to the team, his form quickly dipped again. Bent said Arteta should give Eze four or five matches to prove himself.
With Arsenal preparing for their next league fixture against Leeds United, the debate over Odegaard’s place in the starting XI is gaining momentum. While Arteta has continued to back his captain, pressure is growing from pundits and fans who want more impact from the midfield as the season progresses.
