14 Aug 2026 05:21:44
Hi Ed, wondering if you were about to answer how you think Odegaard will go this season. I feel like he might be recapturing some of his best form, however, don't know if he has a big goal scoring season in him anymore. What do you put that down to? It seems like he's lost some of his killer instinct to me.
{Ed014's Note - there were reasons mentioned, talk of a new baby, him becoming vegan/vegetarian for his loss of form, some injuries aswell but all that should now have settled down.
He’s a talented boy and if Bruno and Declan make him play further forward and he and Saka get back in tune with each other, add either Timber or White back into that right side, then there’s every chance we could see him back scoring and assisting to his best.
So I think we could see him back to his best or better, he’s 27 now, pretty much a prime year.
15 Aug 2026 12:12:17
Hopefully he discovers a 4th gear and resets his compass so he passes forward. Still looked like that in the World Cup. Not sure you can blame a kid or being vegetarian on that Ed, I blame tactics, lack of quality on RW ( Noni) , lack of leadership ( telling him to stop dropping so deep) and him. He's a bit over-hyped - he drops to the level of the team rather than being dynamic and changing the narrative. We talk about him like he's Hazzard or KDB but just not at that level. don't think Arteta has helped him with his negative approach to our play & playing for corners & not to lose - we've done the same with Eze. I'm not sure we can sell him as we need a LW and Struker first. If new stringer more dynamic midfield frees up Ode then great let's see if he raises his game as he does have an eye for a good ball but his decision making is in question.
Hope he & we adapt a more forward play, push him forward & replace all those goals from corners which will be a big ask this season - hence we desperately need a quality LW ( can Ode pass left or just short right passes? ) and a proper striker ( know you don't like him Ed0014 but 60m for that Vic makes 55m for Vic & god knows what for Kai ridiculous ) like Vic. A striker who knows where the net is, will actually score from corners ( how many headers did big Vic score from our deadly corners) and inject much needed pace & fear into our attack.
15 Aug 2026 22:36:39.
??? Gave me a great laugh, Sy! Whaaaaat! You were serious? ? COYG
#teamOde.
15 Aug 2026 23:21:51
I think if we change our tactics in attack and play one touch football, Odegaard will be at his best again. We have strong defence and midfield anchors, so Odegaard and the front three should rip through the opposition. If that happens, Gyokeres is more than capable of scoring a good few (more) goals this season.
16 Aug 2026 09:24:42
Morning Ode, yep, and glad you had a chuckle as laughter is the best cure. I assume you love Ode, which is great. I like him, but he's not up there with the players I listed, yet we big him up as if he is. He played the same game in WC with the very rare first time forward pass.
Which bit did you have the biggest issue with & what's your spin?
Looking forward to the City game & seeing how our team looks and plays.
Do you not think we need a CB/RB, LW & Cf?
16 Aug 2026 11:41:46
I just think at present our best midfield is Declan, Bruno and Ode. He is very good and was maybe off it last season, whether vegetarian, child, or injury. I just don’t see him as an issue, and I wouldn’t buy current Hazard or KDB! Maybe me (or you) , but with that confirmation bias, I thought he played well at WC. I only laughed because the season hasn’t started, and you essentially assassinated one of our best players. Yet you only ask me about CB/RB, LW and CF, not AM.
I think we will get two out of three. I think Konsa and Yildiz are most likely. Calm down, Sy. It’s the season opener on Friday, then have at it. ? We just disagree on a lot, except we are Gooners, and I could say you wanted MA out, but we are champions (too negative telling Ode to pass sideways etc etc) , but we are champions! I’m sure we will disagree again, but it’s fun. COYG.
#OdeandMAin.
16 Aug 2026 14:50:24
Hi Sussex, hope you had a great summer. We probably agree on quite a few things, and not on quite a bit, but we just want the best. I want an attack as good as our midfield & defence - I’m sure they must scratch their heads at the difference. If I’m Rice or Gabs, I’d be asking for sure.
I think I said I’d stick with Ode because we have bigger issues to address if we want to win trophies this season. We won't get this corner goals, so a huge gap to fill.
I agree on midfield: Declan, Bruno and Ode, with Myles as the next choice. Then Zubi.
I’m sure many were frustrated with Ode & he’s good, but I’m not sure he’s quite enough. I’d rather get a proper striker & a left wing. We certainly need a cover at RB/ CB as Mosq should never play RB.
£60m for Vic, the same money we paid for our two options? No question what’s the better investment & cutting edge. We haven’t invested well in our attack, & that needs to change if we want to win the Champ League as we won’t get such a good route to the final again.
Good to hear we are after attackers, & hope we start with better attacking options.
Season starts next week, so Brian needs to get out of neutral & start bidding above 50% of the valuation. Move quicker or miss out, getting players in early helps them bed in etc.
Looking forward to us defending the league & trying to go one further in Europe - certainly invested a lot.
16 Aug 2026 17:21:46
Marvellous summer, thank you, Sy! Trust yours was too. I do agree re the front three, Saka excluded. I've said before, I think Kai and Viktor are enough, because I only see maybe Osimhen as obtainable and an improvement. More so if we get a stonking LW.
Great result, and, considering we missed Saka, Rice, Timber and Willy (almost half the outfield players) from the starting line up. Frightening squad depth now, for which Brian has to take at least some credit, surely. Exciting times. COYG
16 Aug 2026 19:20:55
Good summer & glad you had a good one.
Brian has added depth - my point is he's slow, and you'd expect depth with the amount of money he's been given.
He needs to improve the starting 11 more.
The names you list - he didn't sign. Just an observation.
I want a big attacking name from Berta. Hopefully last season, home & abroad, make us a very good proposition for some big talent.
I'd take a prime KDB or Hazard any day of the week - game changers.
He's added Noni, Eze, Vic, Nordgaard, Zubi last year - all of whom I hope don't start.
Although I hope we adapt our play & we see Eze of old.
Great result today - Ode had a strong game, MLS good, style of play was good. Ode had a few very poor passes behind players when on the counter-attack, but also some sublime moments - his goal and a few passes.
Arteta looked sharp, relaxed & he's saying a lot of good things about ambition.
Exciting times & the board have done us very proud.