It’s Not Odegaard, This is Arsenal’s Most Crucial Player

Without Martin Odegaard, Arsenal still managed to brilliantly defeat PSG in the second match of this season’s Champions League.

Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. The 3 points at the Emirates Stadium propelled Mikel Arteta’s team to 8th place in the new Champions League group stage format, where one of the top eight spots secures a place in the round of 16.

Kai Havertz showed his knack for scoring with a header from Leandro Trossard’s cross in the 20th minute. The former Chelsea striker has now scored 5 goals in 9 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners this season. Against PSG, Havertz impressed once again. His smart, flexible movement and tireless work in the final third highlighted why Mikel Arteta didn’t sign a new striker in the summer of 2024, instead putting his trust in a player who thrives in big matches.

After Havertz’s opener, a free-kick from Bukayo Saka in the 35th minute easily beat goalkeeper Donnarumma. Despite PSG’s pressure in the second half, the Gunners held on to secure the win.

When Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard returned after the international break in September with an ankle ligament injury, the big question was how Arsenal would cope without him.

The former Real Madrid midfielder is a top player, but the fact that Arsenal continues to perform well without him is a testament to the growing strength and depth of Arteta’s squad. The clash with PSG marked the sixth game the Gunners played without Odegaard since his injury, and they remain unbeaten.

During that stretch, Mikel Arteta’s side faced tough opponents like Spurs and Manchester City but still managed to collect four points with a win and a draw.

Without Odegaard in the middle, Arteta has used Thomas Partey to fill the gap alongside Declan Rice. Partey is a completely different player from Odegaard. The former Atletico Madrid player has stepped up, forming a solid midfield partnership with Rice, and has been able to do whatever the team requires. Against PSG, Rice and Partey provided Arsenal with a strong foundation, allowing them to secure the 3 points after leading 2-0 by halftime.

Odegaard’s importance to Arsenal is undeniable, but with Havertz, Rice, Partey, or Mikel Merino stepping in, the Gunners have shown they can cope without him and continue to excel during his absence.