Kevin Campbell says Martin Odegaard’s work-rate deserves more credit

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Kevin Campbell has told The Highbury Squad that Martin Odegaard does not get anything like the credit he deserves for how hard he works for Arsenal, insisting that the Gunners do not win the ball back anywhere near as often without the captain’s pressing.

Arsenal remain the pace-setters in the Premier League. And a number of their players are rightfully receiving a raft of plaudits after an amazing start to the campaign.

One member of the side who has come in for some kind of criticism has been Odegaard. He has been overshadowed by some of his teammates this season, admittedly.

Martin Odegaard doesn’t get enough credit for his work-rate

Odegaard has only scored once in any competition since the end of August. That is obviously not good enough for a player of the 23-year-old’s ability.

However, Campbell has insisted that Odegaard does not deserve to come in for criticism. He explained how the youngster is doing a lot of good things which have gone under the radar.

“Odegaard’s work-rate, I’m telling you many people dismiss it like it’s nothing, he’s got a serious, serious good habit of working hard for the team,” he told The Highbury Squad.

“And sometimes you do not see the work he does because somebody else wins the ball. But if he doesn’t press, we don’t win the ball back.”

So much is expected of Odegaard. Given how long he has been playing at the highest level, he is probably viewed by many as a senior member of the side. And he is the captain of the team.

But he is still only 23 years of age. It is remarkable what he has achieved. But he is still perfecting his own game. And with that, there are going to be times when he is less influential on the ball.

As Campbell suggests, Odegaard does so much more for the team. And you would imagine that Mikel Arteta is more than happy with what he is getting from his captain.

Perhaps it will be a situation which will be revisited should Arsenal’s wins dry up. But the Gunners are flying, so can cope with the skipper perhaps not being at his very, very best.