The two main reasons Arsenal are missing Martin Odegaard as Eberechi Eze problem becomes clear

Martin Odegaard's absence is hurting Arsenal creatively as Bayer Leverkusen pass map unveils just how significant the problem is

A reality check that Arsenal needed at this stage of the season. While some were already looking at Lisbon or Bodo, Bayer Leverkusen wanted to remind everyone that there is no guaranteed route to the next round.

Wednesday evening was the first time the Gunners have been prevented from winning in the Champions League this season. Kasper Hjulmand’s side were able to achieve what the current Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich failed to do. There was no doubt this would be a challenging affair, but as has been the case for much of the season, a lack of threat in the final third proved costly.

There were big chances created, with Gabriel Martinelli hitting the bar and Jurrien Timber heading narrowly over close to the end, but overall, the Gunners carried little threat. Viktor Gyokeres again didn’t have a single shot.

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If the Gunners are to secure victory in this tie, let alone the tournament overall, then they’re going to need the likes of Bukayo Saka to step up. Yet, the creativity was certainly lacking.

After the game, a graphic began circulating of the Gunners’ pass map in the final third. What should strike you immediately is the gaping hole around the D of the 18-yard-box.

The lack of central incisive passes is glaring, and I cannot help but think this looks an awful lot like a "Martin Odegaard hole" in the middle of the attack. I know that form-wise the captain has not been at his best, but he has the ability to produce the passes missing from the team.

When you take a look at what Odegaard has done across this and last season, two campaigns which most would argue have been his least impressive since arriving at the club, mostly caused by injuries which have interrupted rhythm and consistency, you see the impact that is lost.

According to Opta, in 2024/25, among players with more than 500 minutes across all competitions, Odegaard created the most chances from open play per 90, 2.0. More than Saka (1.8), Martinelli (1.4), Leandro Trossard (1.3) and Declan Rice (1.1). The story has continued into the current campaign, and his numbers have gone up too, with the skipper creating 2.4 chances from open play per 90. This is more than Saka (2.0), Trossard (1.6), Martinelli (1.4), Noni Madueke (1.1) and Rice (1.1).

In terms of passes into the box per 90 of players with more than 500 minutes last season, Odegaard topped the ranks again, 7.9. Saka (6.8), Rice (5.8), Ethan Nwaneri (5.4), Trossard (4.7) and Martinelli (4.2) are all much lower.

Bring that forward to this season, Odegaard again has 7.9 passes into the box per 90. Again, he tops the club ranks for the stat: Madueke (7.3), Rice (7.3), Saka (6.3), Trossard (4.6) and Eberechi Eze (2.9). That last name and the fact that the captain has close to three times more passes of this type compared to the summer signing is quite the number.

In terms of where Odegaard ranks in the league, his 7.9 passes into the box per 90 means only seven players with at least 900 minutes played this season have more.

For context, Odegaard is putting in these numbers during seasons where he is perceived to be below his expected level, suffering from persistent impact injury issues and is continually scrutinised. What he can achieve when in full flow, form, and fitness will massively aid this glaring hole in the team.

This is not to say he would immediately solve this issue. But little can be argued that he wouldn't significantly help in fixing it.

Arteta was asked after match whether this game felt like it was right for Odegaard. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Arsenal boss wanted to bring attention to those players who are available right now.

“Yes, Martin has different qualities, but we have players with a lot of talent,” he said. “The execution of a lot of actions obviously has to be at another level. You want to create much more threat in and around the box, and today, on many occasions, it wasn't.”

“It's part of football. You have to react after that, and especially since it's something that we did after regaining the ball, we allowed too much space to turn us and make us run backwards, and that's certainly something to improve.”

Odegaard is not expected back until potentially after the international break, perhaps slightly earlier if his recovery improves. In the meantime, Arteta needs to find solutions, and it might come with the return of Kai Havertz, who looked to form a good link with Gyokeres when he began in that role.