As Arsenal approach the final weeks of a dramatic Premier League title race, Paul Scholes has publicly warned that captain Martin Ødegaard’s tendency to sit deep is blunting the Gunners’ attacking thrust. With Arsenal three points clear and four games left, Scholes argues Ødegaard must occupy the No.10 space consistently to unlock Bukayo Saka and help Mikel Arteta’s side sustain pressure on Manchester City during the decisive run-in.
Scholes singles out Ødegaard amid title run-in
Paul Scholes has identified Martin Ødegaard’s positioning as a key problem for Arsenal’s Premier League tilt. The Manchester United legend argued Ødegaard often drops too deep — operating behind Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi — which removes Arsenal’s primary creative fulcrum from the attacking third and limits the team’s ability to progress the ball quickly.
"He's brilliant technically," Scholes said, "but he doesn't play his position properly. Half the time he was almost the deepest man... Ødegaard is a No.10 but he was playing behind Zubimendi, behind Declan Rice. How can he get connections there [to the striker]?" That critique lands with added weight given Arsenal sit top of the table with four games remaining, three points ahead of Manchester City.
How the positioning problem affects Arsenal's attack
When Ødegaard vacates the No.10 area, Arsenal lose their most natural link between midfield and attack. Declan Rice and Zubimendi are both progressive central midfielders, but they function best when someone closer to the front line receives and distributes. Without Ødegaard higher up, Arsenal rely more on wing play and individual moments rather than sustained midfield penetration.
This also diminishes Bukayo Saka's impact. Scholes noted the connection between Ødegaard and Saka is a recurring source of danger; when Ødegaard occupies attacking pockets, Saka’s runs and combinations become more effective. With Saka unavailable or drifting, that dynamic weakens.
Zubimendi, Rice and balance in midfield
Arsenal's midfield balance is delicate. Zubimendi offers ball progression but, as Scholes pointed out, may not yet have experience of a 38-game title race in England. Rice provides defensive cover and forward drive. If both are expected to shuttle forward because Ødegaard is deeper, Arsenal risk losing structural coherence and leaving spaces for opponents to exploit.
Comparing creative profiles: Ødegaard vs Eberechi Eze
Scholes contrasted Ødegaard with Eberechi Eze, arguing Eze brings a different kind of game-breaking threat from the edge of the box, while Ødegaard's value is in his ability to improve overall team play when positioned correctly. Gary Neville echoed a different point: alongside Eze's swagger, much of the Arsenal squad still looks rigid under pressure — a mental and stylistic factor that could shape the final weeks.
Why this matters for the title race
Small tactical nuances matter hugely with the title on the line. Arsenal’s three-point gap is fragile — Manchester City have a game in hand and pedigree in closing out tight campaigns. If Arteta fails to lock down the midfield structure and maximize Ødegaard’s influence in the No.10 role, Arsenal risk losing the initiative in critical fixtures.
What Arteta could do
Practical adjustments are clear and realistic. Arteta can instruct Ødegaard to remain higher to receive between the lines, allow Rice and Zubimendi to carry the ball through midfield, or rotate in Eze to provide different attacking energy. He could also tweak pressing triggers so Arsenal regain possession closer to the opponent’s box, reducing the need for Ødegaard to drop deep.
Immediate focus: Fulham at the Emirates
Arsenal have the chance to address these concerns quickly when they host Fulham on Saturday (5.30pm). That fixture is a tactical litmus test: can Arteta restore the attacking shape that made Arsenal dominant for most of the season, or will opponents continue to find respite by drawing Ødegaard away from his creative zone?
Bottom line — tweak, don’t overhaul
Scholes’ critique should be read as a tactical nudge rather than a panic alarm. Ødegaard remains Arsenal’s best playmaker; the solution is positional clarity and minor strategic adjustments, not wholesale change.
In a season decided by fine margins, ensuring Ødegaard occupies the No.10 space consistently could be the difference between lifting the title and watching Manchester City pounce.
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