Jack Wilshere believes Martin Odegaard must start against Fulham, insisting Arsenal are a ‘different team’ with their skipper in the heart of midfield.
The Gunners can temporarily move six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a win against Fulham on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side are set to be without Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz, while Odegaard is a minor doubt for the game after his withdrawal in the secodn half against Atletico Madrid.
The Norwegian midfielder has had an injury-affected campaign, which has seen him able to start just 15 league games so far this season.
But former Arsenal midfielder Wilshere believes the Odegaard has to start against Fulham if fit, such is his importance to the side with and without the ball.
‘With Arsenal, I think Odegaard is key,’ Wilshere told talkSPORT. ‘He’s a player who takes risks. He’s a player who, even out of possession, sets everything.
‘I think he’s had a few injuries this season, maybe lost a bit of form at times. When Martin’s playing, it’s a different team. It’s a different team, and they look braver.’
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But Wilshere, who was part of Arsenal’s academy coaching set-up under Arteta before moving to Norwich and then Luton Town, said he would like to see his former side get back to a more free-flowing style of football.
‘When Mikel first came in, it was about playing,’ he said ‘It was a big focus on build-up, on finding the free play, and they were really, really good at it.
‘I think then, as a coach and as a team, you always have to look for ways to evolve, to look for ways to change a little bit how you’re playing, because teams will start to work you out. I thought Mikel’s done that really well.
‘I think over the last few years, there has been a little bit of a change in style, but this is also not just Arsenal, right? You look at City and bringing Haaland in, and how they played into him a little bit more.
‘I remember playing against City in a cup final at Wembley, and then the goalie kicking it over all of us, and Aguero scoring. It’s been around for a while.
‘Mikel has obviously thought that this is the best way to win the league. They’ve fallen short over the last few years against the Liverpool team, against the City team that like to dominate the ball.
‘And Arsenal couldn’t get it done. He obviously sees this as the way forward. At times, I would like to see them play a little bit more as well.’
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