Can Martin Ødegaard Finally Cure Arsenal’s Creative Troubles?

Creativity: the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.

It ebbed and flowed through the veins of the Arsenal midfield during the Arsène Wenger era. Ranging with personnel, from Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp and Cesc Fàbregas to Mesut Özil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey. It was finesse, decisiveness, and a sharp edge that could cut through any defensive block in every area of the pitch. Attacking patterns coloured with intricate passes, elusive movement, delicate touches, and a quick tempo that would have even the best defenders chasing shadows.

The 2020/21 campaign was a stark contrast. Illustrated in Big Chances Created, Arsenal ranked 12th in the Premier League with 45 chances, below West Ham, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa. The club has only ever been outside the top five of this statistic twice in the last eleven seasons, which have both come in the past two years (both 12th). It is a damning reality of the current Arsenal team, a club once so widely admired for their footballing expression and chance-creating ability.

One of the bright prospects who has been brought in to solve the creative drought is Emile Smith Rowe. He transformed Arsenal’s attack during the dark winter months when the Gunners found themselves tumbling down the table; he helped bring fluidity in transition, creativity, and more attacking impetus.