Aasif Rahman

Sat 22 February 2025 18:41, UK

Arsenal fans have taken their anger out on Martin Odegaard following his performance after the side’s 1-0 loss to West Ham.

Arsenal missed out on the chance to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points after their 1-0 loss to West Ham.

Odegaard played the full 90 minutes but failed to make an impact when his team needed him most, particularly with the squad struggling through an injury crisis. Arsenal fans have criticised Odegaard before this season especially in games where they failed to win including against Aston Villa and Newcastle.

The defeat not only dealt a blow to the side’s title ambitions but also deepened the frustration among fans, with many directing their anger at their captain. Some believe Odegaard has not stepped up in crucial moments with the team now facing an uphill battle in the title race.

Martin Odegaard has been poor for Arsenal in an injury-ravaged season

Odegaard has had a poor season by his standards and has frustrated supporters since he came back into the side. In terms of output, he has just three goals and six assists in all competitions.

He was injured earlier in the season but has still made 27 appearances and racked up 2,123 minutes. The Gunners have dealt with numerous injuries this season, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all currently sidelined.

Arsenal fans urged the club to sign an attacker in the January window, but no signing was made, leaving Odegaard to try and create chances with Mikel Merino playing as a makeshift centre-forward.

Still, despite the circumstances, the captain put in a poor performance against West Ham, failing to register any shots on target, losing possession 20 times, and completing zero successful dribbles [Sofascore].

Arsenal fans want Martin Odegaard’s captaincy removed

The loss to West Ham leaves Mikel Arteta’s side eight points behind Liverpool at the top of the table, failing to close the gap after Arne Slot’s team dropped points to Aston Villa earlier in the week.

Odegaard’s performances this season have been a stark contrast to his previous form. He has only managed one goal in his last ten Premier League games, raising concerns among supporters.

Frustration is growing among fans, with many calling for his captaincy to be revoked. One supporter remarked that he is “crumbling under the pressure” while another described him as “an absolute embarrassment as a captain.”