The worrying numbers behind Martin Odegaard’s goal drought amid Arsenal’s scoring struggles Odegaard is yet to score from open play this season and his drop-off in front of goal is a central part of Arsenal’s declining threat.
“When you look at probability and samples, sustaining an attacking midfielder scoring 15 goals like he did two years ago, it doesn’t happen because it hasn’t happened in 50 years.” Frank Lampard offers a counter to that point, having surpassed 15 goals in nine out of 10 fruitful seasons in the middle of his Chelsea career.
And at a time when there is endless scrutiny on Arsenal’s lack of a ruthless striker, intensified by the match-winning performance of Newcastle’s No 9 Alexander Isak at the Emirates this week, as well as a need for fresh impetus on the wing, Odegaard’s goals are needed now more than ever.
Last season Odegaard scored eight times; he scored 15 in the campaign before that, topping Arsenal’s end-of-season charts alongside Gabriel Martinelli.
Martin Odegaard has scored one goal this season, and it was about as inconsequential as they come: a penalty slotted away during the 5-2 thrashing of West Ham United in November.
