Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard has called upon his teammates to step up in scoring goals after the loss of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on transfer deadline day.
The Gunners only have two senior strikers to call upon in Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, with Aubameyang making the switch to Barcelona last month.
It also comes after a tough January period that saw Mikel Arteta’s men score just one goal in all competitions, with the Spaniard crashing out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
A positive for the side is that they go into Saturday’s game with Brentford on the back of a 1-0 win over Wolves, leaving the side sixth, but with three games in-hand over their rivals for a top four finish.
Striking pair Lacazette and Nketiah have just the three Premier League goals between them this season, however Odegaard has stated it is the whole team’s responsibility to score and not just the strikers.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, the Norwegian said: “I think it is the team’s job to make sure we score goals, it is not up to one or two players.
“I am sure we have the qualities in this team to score many goals. Of course, it’s an area we want to improve and we have to do a little bit better - but I am sure we have the quality in the team and the way we play. I am sure we will create chances, so I don’t see it as a problem.
“I think it is always sad when players leave the club, but that is up to the manager and the club to do those kind of things.
“Then we have to focus on the players that are here and I think we have a strong group, and an interesting team.
“We need to focus on the players that are here and keep on improving and using our qualities.”
The Gunners have bounced back well from the disappointment of last season, where the side missed out on continental football altogether.
Arteta and Edu then had a complete reshape of the squad, spending £150million to get themselves competing again.
They have shown the ability to do so this season, but goalscoring is still a concern with the lack of a clinical striker. However, there may be goals coming from all positions for the side, amid Odegaard’s plea.
