Mikel Arteta revals the Arsenal star that has been missed 'so much' in injury-hit campaign | OneFootball

Midfielder has missed large chunks of Premier League title charge

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal have missed Martin Odegaard "so much" during his injury-hit season, insisting they are a much better side when he is starting.

A shoulder issue hampered Odegaard earlier in the campaign, while it has been a knee injury in more recent months that has proved a problem.

Odegaard returned after six weeks out to start away at Southampton last weekend, but he was then forced off in the second half against Sporting in midweek.

The 27-year-old did not train on Thursday and is a doubt to face Bournemouth on Saturday as a result, and Arteta emphasised how big a miss it would be if Odegaard did miss out again.

"He's the one that connects everybody, that glides everybody together, that makes the team flow in a way that nobody else can do that," Arteta said.

"And that's a huge quality to have. He's the captain, he's the leader, he's the one that sets the tone in probably every phase of play for us.

"He's also such an intelligent person that he can adapt and modify the game when we need to in ten seconds."

Odegaard has faced criticism at times this season and there have been suggestions his future at the club could be in doubt.

The midfielder will enter the final two years of his contract this season, but Arteta is understood to be keen to keep Odegaard at the club.

The Arsenal manager defended his captain, believing the injury issues are to blame for the lack of consistency.

"Well, I think obviously he had a very difficult season in terms of the days that he's missed, the amount of games, which is very unusual," Arteta continued.

"He's a player that needs rhythm, that needs to be very connected with the team.

"Not only that he's missed that opportunity, but the team as well has missed him so much for what he brings. That's some things that are probably unnoticed to the public or in general that are not in those stats, but it's much more profound within the team and the identity of this team.

"So we need him at his best. We need him constantly with us because we are a much better team when Martin is in and around the team."