Martin Odegaard badly let Arsenal down vs Palace | OneFootball

Arsenal’s unbeaten run extended to six games on Monday evening after a desperate last-minute equaliser from substitute Alexandre Lacazette salvaged a point against Crystal Palace.

The Gunners started brightly at the Emirates Stadium and took an early lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who volleyed home from close range after visiting goalkeeper Vicente Guaita parried an effort from Nicolas Pepe into his path.

It was more than deserved but the home outfit took their foot off the gas and allowed the Eagles back into the game just five minutes after the break.

Thomas Partey was robbed of possession in the heart of midfield before Christian Benteke fired home into the bottom corner past Aaron Ramsdale.

Palace then took the lead 17 minutes from time after another unforced error from Mikel Arteta’s engine room. This time, it was Albert Sambi Lokonga who was dispossessed, with Odsonne Edouard making the most of a blistering counter-attack.

But then the 30-year-old French striker stabbed home in the game’s dying embers as he made no mistake from a rebounded effort following a corner.

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Arteta and his side certainly got away with one and despite remaining unbeaten in their last six outings, there was cause for concern with that performance. They can really count their lucky stars yesterday.

After three clean sheets in their last four games, conceding twice in an erratic fashion will be rather frustrating but the two culprits, Partey and Lokonga, weren’t the only players at fault on Monday night.

For example, Nicolas Pepe took pelters on social media despite a relentless showing – with Arsenal legend Ian Wright even describing him as “very disappointing again.”

However, he was very nearly on the scoresheet himself but for an outstanding save and he more than did his dues defensively, managing two interceptions and one tackle. There’s a reason he lasted the full 90 minutes.

The same can’t be said for Martin Odegaard, who was hooked just after the hour mark after another pretty poor performance in the no.10 role.

As per SofaScore, the £36m-rated Norway international was graded as the Gunners’ third-worst performer (6.3) and it’s easy to see why – he failed to create a single chance despite having 51 touches and making 36 of his 39 passes.

Odegaard also failed to successfully pull off a dribble, nor did he have an attempt at goal, whilst the attacking midfield lightweight was also weak in his battles after he won just one of six duels (17%).

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Furthermore, he lost possession once every five touches and once every 6.7 minutes. It’s no wonder Aubameyang had very little to feed off throughout.

It was he who made way for super-sub Lacazette in a move that deserves plenty of plaudits. Arteta’s decision certainly looked the right one as his striker constantly caused problems from the bench and he got his just desserts with the equaliser.

Odegaard may have been one of several Gunners stars but at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night, he badly let the young Spanish head coach and his teammates down.