Arsenal - Aston Villa: Can Odegaard prevent Emery’s “revenge”?

30/12/2025 09:09:00 GameGladiator

The moment Martin Odegaard struck from outside the penalty area, driving the ball firmly into Brighton’s low goal corner, was more than just a beautiful goal.

It was a strong affirmation of the Arsenal captain’s influence during a crucial turning point of the season.

Odegaard’s timely comeback

The immediate reaction after that goal revealed much. Declan Rice turned toward Odegaard, pointing with emotion as if to remind: Give this captain the credit he deserves. Amid unnecessary debates about Arsenal’s captaincy, that image was more symbolic than any statement. Inside Arsenal, Odegaard has never been doubted. To them, he is an indispensable leader.

In truth, this season has been challenging for the Norwegian midfielder. Consecutive injuries to his ankle, shoulder, and knee have prevented Odegaard from maintaining a steady playing rhythm. For a player who relies heavily on touch and feel, consistency is vital. Constantly moving in and out of the squad sometimes raised questions about his form. Yet instead of declining, Odegaard has shown remarkable growth in adapting and impacting the team’s overall style.

Against Brighton, he created the most chances on the field, repeatedly breaking through the opponent’s defensive lines with penetrating passes and intelligent movement between pressing layers. Without needing to score many goals or provide numerous assists, Odegaard remains the heartbeat of Arsenal’s gameplay.

The statistics speak for themselves. Among the top five European leagues, Odegaard ranks in the top 2% of midfielders for assists per 90 minutes. He is also among the leaders in shot-creating actions, forward passes, dribbling breakthroughs, and passes into the penalty area.

More importantly, Odegaard is not just a traditional "number 10." He participates in pressing, supports defense, rarely loses duels, and almost never makes errors leading to opponent shots. This is why Mikel Arteta has complete faith in him, even during Arsenal’s personnel difficulties.

Odegaard’s return is even more significant as Arsenal deals with multiple injuries. With Jurrien Timber absent, Declan Rice has shifted to right-back, and the midfield needs a true brain to control play. Odegaard has fulfilled that role perfectly: managing tempo, distributing the ball, stretching the opponent’s formation, and creating space for Bukayo Saka and other attackers.

Declan Rice praises captain Odegaard after the Brighton win

Can Emery’s “revenge” be stopped?

After scoring twice to help Aston Villa overturn Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Ollie Watkins did not hesitate to call his coach “a tactical genius.” This was no empty praise. It was recognition of Unai Emery’s ability to read the game, adjust systems, and change the situation—Emery who led Arsenal from May 2018 to November 2019.

Consider Aston Villa’s state before Emery’s arrival. In October 2022, the club was drifting near relegation, lacking both morale and tactical coherence. Emery arrived quietly, without grand promises, but gradually rebuilt Villa like a true strategist.

Three years later, Villa has not only revived but grown into a genuine force. They won 11 consecutive matches across all competitions, equaling a club record over a century old. They are competing for the title, something once considered impossible for a club with a modest budget and squad depth.

Emery’s greatest impact isn’t flashy stats or overwhelming football from start to finish. It’s his timely “interventions.” Emery is a coach who doesn’t stubbornly cling to initial plans. When the system falters, he’s ready to break the old structure and create new order mid-game.

The Chelsea win is a perfect example. In the first half, Villa were completely stifled, but Emery stayed calm. He observed, analyzed, and waited for the right moment to act.

In the 59th minute, Emery made three game-changing substitutions. Ollie Watkins entered, Jadon Sancho appeared on the wing, and Amadou Onana was brought in to free Youri Tielemans in the "number 10" role. Morgan Rogers, previously tightly marked, was freed to move more freely. Within minutes, the game completely reversed.

Villa were no longer dominated. They controlled midfield space, exploited gaps between Chelsea’s lines, and punished their opponents sharply. Watkins’ two goals were not just moments of individual brilliance but direct results of precise tactical adjustments down to every detail.

Emery didn’t build Villa with expensive stars. Instead, he created a disciplined, resilient team that never gives up.

Vu Manh

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