Paul Scholes Urges Martin Odegaard to Deliver in Tight Matches After Old Trafford Draw

🕓 Last updated on September 16, 2025

Paul Scholes Martin Odegaard criticism calls for more brilliance in tight matches and questions Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge up front.

Paul Scholes reignited his criticism of Martin Odegaard after Arsenal drew 1–1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The former United midfielder challenged Odegaard to elevate his influence and consistently decide tight, high-stakes matches for the Gunners.

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Scholes directed his critique at Odegaard following a match that saw Bruno Fernandes open the scoring for United just before halftime. Declan Rice responded with a powerful equalizer in the 74th minute, but neither side managed to find a winner. Arsenal remained second in the Premier League table, trailing Liverpool by 15 points, while United sat in 14th.

Although Scholes praised Odegaard’s technical brilliance, he urged the Arsenal captain to deliver more decisive contributions. “Odegaard, again, influenced the team,” he told Premier League Productions, “but I think he needs to step up in these types of games, where you might just need the one goal, you might just need that bit of brilliance.”

He compared Odegaard to match-winners like Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne—players who consistently deliver in crucial moments.

Scholes didn’t stop at Odegaard. He also criticized Arsenal’s lack of a prolific striker, arguing that the team’s attractive style lacks substance in the final third. “They’re like a mid-table, Spanish La Liga team with the way they play, but they got no substance,” he added.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed some of Scholes’ frustration, admitting that his side failed to produce the decisive actions needed to win. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, the Gunners couldn’t convert more than once.

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