Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shifted from "chaos" to "control" after controversially substituting Martin Odegaard in the 62nd minute of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Everton , according to Gunners expert Charles Watts . The Norwegian skipper arguably had Arsenal's best chances of the first half against the Toffees, but he failed to lace up his best shooting boots and was also lacking his creative spark, not fashioning a single chance for his teammates. Nevertheless, Odegaard's withdrawal for Ethan Nwaneri just after the hour mark at the weekend raised eyebrows, even more so when Arteta confirmed after the game that his decision to withdraw the former Real Madrid starlet was tactical, as opposed to Declan Rice asking to come off due to a niggle.
Asked by Sports Mole to explain Odegaard's recent drop-off in form, Watts suggested that the Scandinavian's body "struggling to cope" after returning from injury could be a factor, as well as the fact that his wife gave birth just a couple of weeks ago. "He's just had a baby that coincides exactly with his drop-off in form so I don't know if he's getting no sleep at home!" Watts said. "I think any new dad will testify to what that first fortnight is like and so a lot of Arsenal fans are pointing to that and thinking that could well be an issue.
I think coming back from that injury, you come back and you ride a crest of a wave a little bit when you get back into the team. It lifts everyone and maybe now it's just sort of settling in. His.
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