Scholes Slams Odegaard as "Big Problem" for Arteta; Backs City for Title

Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has turned his critical eye on Arsenal's season struggles, singling out captain Martin Odegaard as a significant headache for Mikel Arteta as the Gunners chase Premier League glory.

Odegaard has endured a torrid campaign hampered by injury and patchy form, with his downturn directly impacting Arsenal's attacking output. The creative void in the final third has been painfully evident, and Odegaard's display in Saturday's narrow victory over Newcastle—a match that hoisted Arsenal back atop the league—failed to inspire.

Scholes wasted little time making his feelings known during an appearance on The Overlap Fan Debate. "I think Odegaard is a big problem for them," the former midfielder declared, before elaborating on his concerns. "I love Odegaard, I think he's brilliant. Technically, he's great, but he doesn't play his position properly."

The crux of Scholes' complaint centred on positional discipline. During the opening half-hour against Newcastle, Scholes observed Odegaard drifting into deep areas rather than maintaining his attacking midfield responsibilities. "Half the time I saw him in the first 20 minutes he was almost the deepest man," Scholes explained bluntly. "That football, it's just bullsh*t."

Scholes has also expressed reservations about Arsenal's summer acquisition Martin Zubimendi, questioning whether the Spanish midfielder possesses the creative spark required at this level. The former England international acknowledged the adjustment Zubimendi faces transitioning from La Liga to English football's intensity, but remains unconvinced the 25-year-old will be the catalyst Arsenal need.

"The Premier League is tough. It's a long season and he probably wouldn't have experienced anything like this before in Spain," Scholes noted. "He wouldn't have been going for a title in Spain with Real Sociedad, and when I'd seen him for Sociedad, he's someone who progresses the ball up the pitch. I never saw him as that. I didn't see him loads but I never thought he was going to be a player to make your team play good football, and I think your central midfield player has to do that. I don't think he progresses the game enough."

When it comes to the title race itself, Scholes has sided firmly with Manchester City despite Arsenal's current league position. City's superior consistency and the stabilising influence of Pep Guardiola's experience tipped the scales in their favour, according to the pundit.

"City are handling it better with the big game last week, Arsenal limped over the line a little bit against Newcastle again," Scholes assessed. "I just think there's a flow to City. I know there's not massive experience in the squad but they've got the manager who has got the experience which is a big thing."

While acknowledging the title race remains genuinely competitive, Scholes backed City's ability to maintain their challenge. "It's going to be close, I don't think there's any doubting that, I just think City are capable of winning every game," he concluded.