Arsenal face Newcastle this weekend in a game that will have huge ramifications at the top of the table.
The Gunners are unbeaten in the Premier League so far, but after being hammered by West Ham in midweek, they’re vulnerable heading into this one.
To make matters worse, Mikel Arteta comes into this game with a few selection headaches to contend with.
As ever, there’s a debate around the goalkeeping situation, while his captain, Martin Odegaard, is also being questioned after being dropped from the team against Sheffield United last week.
Speaking on the Seaman Says Podcast, David Seaman has stated that Odegaard has to start against Newcastle, claiming that Arsenal can’t afford to take any risks against a team as dangerous as the Magpies.
Odegaard has to start
Seaman gave his verdict on the £30m midfielder against Newcastle.
“No, not in this game. It’s a massive game. Newcastle are up there. So you need to be in full swing. I don’t think you go into this game resting anybody. Even coming off the back of the League Cup. It’s a huge game,’ Seaman said.
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Will start
It would be a huge shock if Mikel Arteta didn’t pick Odegaard for this game.
Ok, he didn’t start last week, but that was against Sheffield United – the worst team in the Premier League so far.
Newcastle are a different beast, and this is a game that Arsenal have to treat with the utmost seriousness.
This is a match that Arsenal could easily lose if they don’t get their team selection spot on, and it goes without saying that Odegaard is a key cog in Arsenal’s strongest XI.
The Norwegian should certainly be back in the starting XI for this match.