Ode confirmed
Bravo today. When he got subbed today almost everyone around me stood up and clapped (doesn’t happen all the time). That display was worthy of a standing ovation 
Makes us tick. Our most important player by a distance.
By far. We look like a completely different team with him on the pitch.
We ARE a different team when he is on the pitch. He is integral for the way that Arteta wants us to play, and even if he has an off day, he still creates that danger for the opponents, and can change the game with one moment of brilliance. And his work rate is astronomical. Just look at his deft flick to Saka for his goal. He does little things like that which makes him impossible to stop all the time.
He’s an unbelievable player in all honesty and I don’t say that lightly. An artist but with work ethic, you don’t see that often.
Only criticism is that he doesn’t do it in the big away games and more recently he has faded physically in the 2nd half but that is a fitness issue post coming back from injury.
Sicario2 - Tier 1 we just went away to an unbeaten team that was at the top of the table in Europe, and dominated them. What else do you want him to do? What exactly is the standard you are holding him to?
If Ødegaard didn't play well yesterday, it'd definitely count as a big game he didn't perform in. 
Sporting have done well but they are still part of a famers league - I don’t necessarily call yesterday a ‘big game’ per se.
Ode did well yesterday but I’m talking about the likes of Bayern away last year. That game is a big game. Also, domestically in the away big games he struggles or goes missing.
Majestic player when he's on it. He does need to check his weight of through ball sometimes though. Ballsed up a couple of glorious opportunities last night due to overhitting it.
He needs more end product as well. I love him but he's too often playing for the pre-assist.
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The Odegaard and Rodri injuries this year and the VVD injury 3 seasons ago have really highlighted to me the difference elite players make on good teams. City have looked terrible but have still managed to keep themselves in the top 3 this whole time. These teams have all dropped to more or less 70- 80 point range without their key stars available. Additional absences around this absence cause a cascading effect.
At the very top end, you need difference makers. They're the ones who keep you at a 90 point pace. But lose them and you drop back to the top 4 chasing pack quite quickly.
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It's a zero sum game. If Ode is always making runs into the box instead of 'playing for the pre-assist' there would be no one there for the buildup, or the buildup would fall on others less suited to it.
One of the problems when Kai was deputising for Ode was that he's constantly making runs in behind and into the box, meaning he's not there for the buildup to support Saka while also going into his space.
Another great example is Haaland. City scored 99 goals without him with KDB their top scorer on 15. Folks imagine adding a 36 goal machine will propel them to new heights, but they scored less.
Ode scores more when the build-up from the left is better. At the moment service from that side is lacking.
Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert he does that yes. He needs to improve 3 things to be one of the best players in the world, the one you mentioned, the weight on his through ball, he still gets plenty of them wrong.
Second is the hesitance to go for the killer ball, I fell like sometimes he could risk it, be a little more creative and just let it go, but this might be the way Arteta wants us to play, not a lot of risks...recycle a lot etc. But sometimes, you see the pass is there, and he has the skill to do it no doubt about that, but he won't go for it..and will go for a more let's say "sure/safe" pass.
And the last one is the shooting, he has it in him, I have seen him score long range goals, I have seen him just place the ball in the corner of the goal....he has it all in him. Just let it loose man. More often then not he will look for the pass or he has this annoying habit of not being able to sort his feet out in time for the shot(this is usually in the box)
Lol, criticizing Odegaard. That is so 2021. This version has very few flaws. Only "big" one I see right now is he's a bit lightweight in the tackle, but that's okay - his job is to lead the press, not actually tackle, and he does that job better than any player in the world in my opinion...
He's already proven he can get in and amongst the goals when needed. He picks his moments, and doesn't spam shots ala Gerard/Lampard and that's absolutely fine.
Speaking of shots, didn't realize Merino has the power shot play style in his locker. Good one taken for the Trossard rebound. I'm sure we'll see a fair few bangers flying in once he's able to find his spots and space around the box to launch with regularity.
flobaba Lol, criticizing Odegaard. That is so 2021. This version has very few flaws.
Very, very few. Definitely already one of the best players in the world. Pretty much any team out there would love to have him. Can't think of more than 1 or 2 who wouldn't.
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Clrnc yep. the innately sterile nature of tetball means ode has to play as a spare man in every midfield zone in order to get the team moving creatively. he might pop up in the box a bit less as a result, which is a shame because he's a top finisher as well
to think he could've been buendia. sliding doors moment right there
