Arteta reveals the real reason why Martin Odegaard was recently dropped

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has finally revealed the real reason why his captain Martin Odegaard did not start in their recent Premier League game against Sheffield United. The Norwegian midfielder was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup, with many fans wondering if he had picked up an injury.

However, Arteta has now clarified that it was a tactical decision to rest Odegaard and manage his minutes in order to keep him at his best. The 24-year-old has been a key player for Arsenal since joining from Real Madrid, and the Gunners are keen on keeping him fit and fresh for the busy schedule ahead.

In a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash against West Ham United, Arteta said via Arsenal Media, “We rested him (Odegaard) the other day, so it’s how long we rest him for and how we manage the minutes and the rhythm that he needs to be at his best. We had the opportunity to [rest him] and we didn’t use him in the end.”

The Spanish manager also emphasized the difficulty of maintaining peak physical condition in a demanding league like the Premier League. He stated, “It’s impossible to play with no niggles in football, and at this level, when you have games every three days, it’s impossible. If you try to do that, you better stay in bed, because I don’t know any players who are constantly perfect and in the best possible condition, so you have to adapt to that.”

With Arsenal currently in 2nd position on the Premier League table and their recent 5-0 victory over Sheffield United, it is clear that Arteta’s rotation policy and management of players’ fitness is paying off. The Gunners will be looking to continue their good form in the upcoming Carabao Cup clash against West Ham United, and having Odegaard back in the starting lineup will surely boost their chances of progressing to the next round.