Why Arsenal fans were booing Martin Odegaard during FA Cup defeat to Man United

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Martin Odegaard was one of several Arsenal players who failed to make the difference when Mikel Arteta’s side exited the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester United.

Odegaard played all 120 minutes of the tie for Arsenal, even though he was struggling with an injury just before half-time.

Of course, it was the Arsenal captain who missed the penalty that Kai Havertz dubiously earned shortly after Gabriel Magalhaes scored to make it 1-1.

Although, it might be better to describe that moment simply as a brilliant Altay Bayindir save – Odegaard’s strike wasn’t poor by any means.

And whilst a lot of Arsenal fans immediately forgave Odegaard for failing to score his penalty, they weren’t so happy with another moment in the match.

Arsenal fans unhappy with Martin Odegaard’s decision in extra-time

In extra-time, Arsenal’s efforts looked slightly disjointed after Arteta was forced into making several changes.

Arteta made five substitutions, and Arsenal ended up playing in something akin to a 3-3-4.

During that chaos, Odegaard’s position didn’t really alter, he was still tasked with his usual playmaking in the middle.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker has a complaint about the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal’s defeat to Man United in FA Cup

But in the 20th minute of extra-time, the Arsenal captain was loudly booed by the Arsenal fans for a decision he made on the break.

Following a rare Man United attack, Odegaard was leading the break, running with the ball through the middle of the pitch.

However, instead of continuing up the pitch or trying to find the killer pass, Odegaard turned backwards with possession, something fans in N5 loudly voiced their displeasure over.

And although Odegaard is loved in north London, a lot of Arsenal fans don’t particularly enjoy that trait of their captain, who often takes the pace out of a counter-attack.

Arsenal have lost their confidence in front of goal

Of course, that decision-making probably stems from Arteta himself, who sets his side up to negate risk first and foremost.

When things are going well at Arsenal, no one complains that Arteta’s side are boring or too defensive, but it’s a common criticism when wins dry up.

Ruben Amorim made an interesting claim about Arsenal’s players after full-time on Sunday, and it’s clear that Odegaard and his teammates are lacking some confidence.

Arsenal supporters aren’t turning on their team by any means, but it’s clear that there are a lot of frustrations in north London right now.

In the space of a week, Arsenal have seemingly lost two chances to win a trophy this season, also surrendering a 2-0 deficit to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

And despite the club’s injury crisis and lack of a goalscorer up top, Arsenal haven’t dipped their toes into the transfer market, and don’t appear to be close to any potential new arrival.