Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey have been excellent for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta this season. This has been proven by the increased win percentage when both players start the match.
Since Arteta’s switch to the 4-3-3 formation, Odegaard and Partey have thrived in the roles they have been given in the midfield. The dominance in their position is a major reason why the Gunners currently have the advantage in qualifying for the Champions League ahead of next season, which is seen as an overachievement for the north London side.
Both players had their critics at the beginning of the season. However, this has now drastically changed as they are considered Arsenal’s most important players, and the win percentage when both players are on the pitch is proof of that.
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When Odegaard and Partey start Arsenal’s win percentage reaches 70.6%. This is a major increase when at least one of them isn’t on the field from the starting whistle as the win percentage drops to 44.4% which highlights the importance of both players on the field.
Their importance in playing together is further highlighted by the fact that Arsenal have won 12 out of 17 games when have started compared to having only won four matches when at least of the pair is absent.
It is not just the win percentage that proves the importance of both players, but it is also the goal potency, as the goals per game reach 2.1 on average when they are starting but declines to 0.8 when the duo are not on the field together, and Arteta’s side are also much more solid in defence to match.
Partey’s absence was clear in January when he went to play at the African Cup of Nations, as the Gunners failed to win a single game during the month he was absent. However, since he has returned to the side, Arsenal haven’t lost a match. The Gunners now look the favourites to qualify for a Champions League spot ahead of next season.
This has been proven by his statistics which see them rank just below Europe's elite midfielders in his position. Ball retention is crucial for a lone holding midfielder and Partey's dribble success rate highlights that he is excelling in this area.
Odegaard has been crucial to Mikel Arteta’s side's improved build-up play this season, a key factor behind why the club can boast the third-highest xG in the league since December 17. The inability to create chances at the start of the season was a critical problem for the Gunners, who failed to score in each of their opening three games.
However, since Odegaard’s £30m move to the club in August, Arteta’s side have become one of the most creative sides in the league. The Norwegian's creativity has been a key reason for the Gunners finding themselves in an increasingly healthy position to qualify for the Champions League ahead of next season.
Arsenal average 2.2 points per game when both Odegaard and Partey are starting compared to the 1.4 points per game when one of them is missing. It highlights the crucial role they have in Arteta’s side and their importance in the push for Champions League football.
