Talking Tactics: Smith Rowe fights Odegaard for creator-in-chief role

Things are going swimmingly for Arsenal with only one loss since August — but Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe are giving manager Mikel Arteta a headache.

Both players started in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle but Smith Rowe’s ever-increasing prominence has largely forced Odegaard to settle for a place on the bench of late.

So, as the Gunners prepare for tonight’s trip to Manchester United, we consider how Arteta can consistently find room for the duo in his line-up.

Emile’s emergence

Having broken through as a first-team regular in the second half of last season, Smith Rowe has gone from strength to strength and become an integral figure in Arsenal’s revival.

The 21-year-old academy product sits alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the Gunners’ joint-top scorer in the Premier League this term, finding the net four times so far.

Only Bukayo Saka has created more chances (21) than Smith Rowe (17), while both have provided two assists — also the joint-most in the squad.

Deployed largely on the left but also able to operate in a central role befitting the No10 on his shirt, Smith Rowe has become a highly valuable, versatile cog in Arteta’s attacking set-up.

A superfluous signing?

It has been almost a year since Odegaard first joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid but supporters in North London have questioned just how much he has brought to the team.

The Norway captain has lagged behind Smith Rowe on the creativity front, conjuring just 0.06 big chances per 90 minutes and only providing 0.12 assists per 90 compared to his team-mate’s rate of 0.21 in each of those categories.

Despite coming up with some big goals, such as the equaliser in March’s 2-1 North London derby victory over Tottenham and a winner at Burnley earlier this season, there is a sense that Odegaard still has much to prove at Arsenal.

Impressing with pressing

Odegaard may not have directly contributed to Arsenal’s attacking output to a great extent but his less easily quantifiable qualities should not be discounted.

The 22-year-old has demonstrated great intelligence when pressing, forcing 5.62 turnovers of possession per 90 — the most of any Gunners player to play 450 minutes this season.

In that sense, Arteta may see Odegaard as an ideal foil to complement the flair and freedom of Smith Rowe.

A good working relationship

Despite not hitting top form so far, Odegaard seems happy at the Emirates and feels he has developed a positive understanding with Smith Rowe and his other team-mates.

Speaking in September, he said: "We have Emile, Bukayo and also a lot of other young players.

"We are getting along really well on and off the pitch because everyone is young. With time, it will get better and better.

"And hopefully, we will get to know each other more and understand where each player wants the ball. I feel that will improve.

"But I already feel that we have a great connection."

Keeping something in reserve

As impressive as Arsenal’s recent form has been, all managers can do with an impact sub to lean on in moments of need.

Leaving Odegaard on the bench gives Arteta an extra option in the event that his side need a little bit of added spark mid-match.

Equally, the Gunners have looked more structured with just Smith Rowe on the pitch from the start — partly because when Odegaard has featured in the same XI, it has sometimes been in an unnatural deeper midfield role.

There is room for both players in North London, but keeping the Norwegian playmaker in reserve may be the smartest approach for Arsenal in the weeks ahead.