Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard can be Europa League game-changers v Sporting
Dean Ashton picks Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard as Arsenal’s key players against Sporting Lisbon. The 2: 2 of the Europa League in the round of 16 will also please Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal came from behind in Thursday’s round of 16 first leg at Sporting to salvage a draw. William Saliba (22nd) brought the Gunners out of the impasse with his outstanding header. But Goncalo Inacio (34′) and Paulinho (55′) reacted and gave the Leos the lead.
Granit Xhaka’s attempt to switch play to Gabriel Martinelli later brought Arsenal level when Hidemasa Morita (62′) accidentally scored an own goal. But Arteta was absent from Ödegaard as a precautionary measure due to illness. He also rested Trossard following his groin injury on Saturday.
Why didn’t Odegaard and Trossard play for Arsenal against Sporting Lisbon?
Odegaard traveled with Arsenal for the Europa League game against Sporting in Lisbon. But Arteta decided to rest his captain as a precaution. The Gunners also don’t believe Trossard sustained a serious groin injury. But he didn’t train this Wednesday because of the problem.
Trossard picked up his injury 22 minutes after Arsenal’s 3-2 win over AFC Bournemouth last weekend. It was the 28-year-old’s ninth appearance under Arteta after a £20m transfer, which rose to £27m, from Brighton & Hove Albion during the last January sales.
Odegaard, meanwhile, had not missed any of Arsenal’s games beyond team selection since 18 September. He missed the Gunners’ 1-0 win at Brentford in the Premier League with a calf injury. The 24-year-old has otherwise started 27 of his 32 games in 34 available games.
Ashton believes the absent duo can change the game in the Europa League for Arteta
Ashton believes the return of Odegaard and Trossard in Arsenal’s Europa League round of 16 second leg against Sporting can be game-changing for Arteta. Odegaard has recorded nine goals and seven assists so far this season. While Trossard has one goal and two assists since joining.
“I think Mikel Arteta would be happy to come out with just a tie and no new injuries,” Ashton told talkSPORT (9/3, 19:43). “And they will hope for their chances again next week with the likes of Odegaard and Trossard.”
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