“He can’t even control the ball” – Arsenal fans slam ‘weird’ player after his ‘worst performance’ for the team during defeat to Crystal Palace
Martin Odegaard came under fire for his performance in Arsenal's dismal 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday night.
The Gunners were put to the sword by former Gooner Patrick Vieira's Eagles and have suffered a huge setback in their chase for the top four.
One performance that drew the ire of Arsenal fans was from Odegaard, who didn't have one of his better games in a Gunners shirt since joining last summer.
Often looking unreliable on the ball and lacking in his usual elegance in passing, the Norweigan had a night to forget.
Fans took to Twitter to give a scathing analysis of the former Real Madrid man's performance in the defeat. Here are some of the reactions to his display:
Love Odegaard but he's been terrible today. Touch is off every single time he gets the ball.
Ødegaard is having a shocker. He can’t even control the ball.
The Martin Ordegaard that turned up tonight for Arsenal against Crystal Palace. #CRYARS https://t.co/RUTRsf613z
Odegaard looks a different players when he is physically troubled. Completely off the game today. Not able to make a simple pass and every touch is a panic one fearing a tackle. Definitely not his type of game so far.
Odegaard is a weird player. He really cannot dribble and plays attacking midfielder
Think this is quite comfortably Odegaard’s worst performance for us.
@EduardoHagn 3 games in a row now he’s looked poor
Arsenal don't click when Martin Odeegard doesn't tick
Odegaard has had a fine season since joining on a permanent deal from Real Madrid last summer for £36 million. The Norwegian has five goals and three assists in 27 Premier League games. He has been instrumental in the middle of the park for Mikel Arteta, with the Gunners using his fantastic ability on the ball to great effect.
On Monday, though, the playmaker looked out of sorts with a second-half miss summing up his woeful performance.
When Odegaard isn't performing, the Gunners tend to struggle to get a foot hold of the game and that was the case as Palace dominated.
There was improvement in the second half, but Odegaard just never really got going on Monday night. Perhaps the international break has hampered his run of form for the north London side but Mikel Arteta will certainly be hoping he doesn't continue the slump.
Odegaard has been a fan favorite this season season, having shown consistency throughout, so his poor performance on Monday has taken some by surprise.
Now is certainly not the time for the 23-year-old to drop out of form with the Gunners chasing a top-four finish.
Arsenal now sit fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, but they do have a game in hand over their arch-rivals.