Chris Sutton, former skilled participant and pundit seems on previous to the Viaplay Cup Remaining between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on February 26, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photograph by Ian MacNicol/Getty Pictures)
Chris Sutton believes the return of Martin Odegaard might show ‘the distinction’ for Arsenal towards Nottingham Forest this weekend and for the remainder of the season as an entire.
The Norway worldwide missed a month-and-a-half of motion because of an ankle damage however returned to play the total 90 minutes towards Chelsea earlier than the worldwide break.
Key Arsenal defender sidelined for months with main damage!
Arsenal gained simply three of seven Premier League matches with out their captain, who made his presence felt at Stamford Bridge with an help on his first full sport again.
The latest hunch in kind for Mikel Arteta’s males has seen them fall 9 factors behind leaders Liverpool within the Premier League title race. Nonetheless, they’ve the possibility to get again on observe towards Nottingham Forest this weekend.
It gained’t be simple, although. Nuno Espirito Santo’s males are having fun with a beautiful begin, sitting degree on factors with Chelsea and Arsenal — who could also be with out Bukayo Saka this weekend — and unbeaten away from house forward of their journey to the Emirates.
Martin Odegaard the distinction for Arsenal?
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard runs with the ball in a Premier League match towards Chelsea. (Photograph by Ryan Pierse/Getty Pictures)
Writing in his predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton has backed Arsenal for a 2-0 win this weekend.
The previous Blackburn and Chelsea striker believes Odegaard holds the important thing for Arsenal, each on this match and transferring ahead.
“Arsenal can not carry on dropping factors and I might be a bit of frightened about them if Declan Rice will not be match sufficient to characteristic right here,” Sutton wrote.
“However not less than Martin Odegaard is coming again to full health after his damage, and I really feel like he would be the distinction.
“Gunners followers shall be hoping that he can carry the crew, and assist them look extra harmful in open play.
“Typically it’s only when a participant is lacking that you just realise how necessary they’re to a facet, and that has undoubtedly been the case with Odegaard, as a result of Arsenal haven’t been the identical with out him within the remaining third.
“Odegaard is their one participant who’s on a unique degree when he’s on the ball, and virtually performs a unique sport. He has that unbelievable consciousness and understanding that permits him to knit the whole lot collectively, and Arsenal will want that towards Forest.
“Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet shall be cussed and troublesome to interrupt down, we all know that. They’ve already crushed Liverpool at Anfield this season, however I feel Arsenal will discover a technique to win.”