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MARTIN ODEGAARD has been a shadow of his former brilliant self at Arsenal this term.A combination of illness, injury and becoming a father for the first time in December has seen him struggle for consistency and momentum, with large sections of the Gunners fanbase questioning his ability as captain with another Prem title charge falling short.Martin Odegaard has failed to convert from long-shots this seasonCredit: GettyThe stats show that the less he shoots, the worse his output isCredit: GettyBut perhaps more worryingly, it has been his creativity and intent on the ball in front of goal that has been missing – put in the spotlight following key absences to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for large periods of the campaign.One area that has slumped in particular has been his shooting and scoring from outside the box, something that became a real trademark for the Norwegian in previous seasons.But his last two games can give fans hope he is on his way back as SunSport reveals the stats behind his dramatic drop in long-range belters, and why they are so important to his overall game.Odegaard gave a first glimpse of what was to come during his six-month loan spell from Real Madrid during the 2020/21 season, having joined on January 27, 2021.read more arsenalIt came in a Europa League round of 16 first leg clash away at Olympiacos, scoring his first goal for the club with a thunderbolt from 25 yards in a 3-1 victory.Collected on the half turn, he took two touches to compose himself and with the third came a venomous thump to announce himself to the Arsenal fans and boss Mikel Arteta.He ended that campaign with 12 shots from outside the box in 20 games in all competitions.His bravery to shoot in those positions grew in the following seasons, and got his rewards.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSIn 2021/22, he attempted 33 shots from outside the box in all competitions – 32 of them coming in the Prem – scoring twice, from a free-kick in a 1-0 victory away at Burnley in September 2021 and a screamer in a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton in April 2022.His most successful and persistent year with long-range shots and goals came in 2022/23, scoring three times from 46 attempts in the Prem against Tottenham, Southampton and Newcastle. In total, he had 47 attempts in all competitions.How ‘brave’ Arsenal were denied by PSG in Champions League semi-finalThe strike against Spurs in a 2-0 away win in January 2023 was prime Odegaard – one touch out of his feet followed by a low, driven fizzler into the bottom corner.Odegaard went one better last year with 48 long-range shots in all competitions, scoring twice. The first was against PSV in the Champions League in September 2023. The second was away at Burnley in February 2024, making it one goal from 39 long-range Prem attempts.And the stats show that there is a direct correlation between the number of long-range shots Odegaard takes and his overall performance.Across the 22/23 and 23/24 campaigns – his best so far in an Arsenal shirt – he mustered 95 shots from outside the box in 93 appearances in all competitions, just over one a game.Within that period, Odegaard scored 26 goals and notched 18 assists.So, it is perhaps no surprise that we have witnessed a below-par Odegaard showing this term with just five goals and 10 assists in 42 games in all competitions having attempted just 30 long-range shots, the only goal from them coming in the 7-1 Champions League last 16 first leg rout of PSV in March.Of those 30, only 22 have been in the Prem with no success. You have to go back 15 months to find his last league belter from outside the box.There have been signs Odegaard is regaining his confidence in this regard.In last week’s 2-1 Champions League semi-final second leg defeat at Paris Saint-Germain, he was denied by a world class save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.Read More on The SunAnd in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with champions Liverpool at Anfield, another long ranger was tipped onto the post by Alisson that Mikel Merino then headed in to complete the comeback.The message is clear then: Odegaard is at his best when he is brave enough to take responsibility and shoot from range. Once that comes back into his game on a regular basis, so will his form. More

HERE’S to going to the football and whingeing and whining and booing and hollering.Here’s to losing your rag, chucking your toys out of the pram and going completely apes**t.Nuno Espirito Santo was on the end of some heated words from Evangelos MarinakisCredit: AFPMarinakis was criticised for his actions after the draw with Leicester CityCredit: AFPThe incident occurred due to confusion over Taiwo Awoniyi’s injuryCredit: AFPHere’s to Nottingham Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis storming on to the City Ground pitch and throwing a wobbler at manager Nuno Espirito Santo.Here’s to Liverpool fans jeering Trent Alexander-Arnold for being a Scouser and having the temerity to want to play for someone else.Here’s to Ruben Amorim ranting at Manchester United players, who play like princes on Thursday nights and clowns on Sunday afternoons.Because what is football without passion? What is it all about if nobody really cares?READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWhat sort of escapism is it if we can’t scream our hearts out and lose all reason?And so why are many people claiming Nuno should quit over Marinakis’ little tantrum?Why are so many berating Liverpool supporters for booing Alexander-Arnold?And why is Amorim criticised for speaking the glaringly obvious truth that his players pick and choose which matches to turn up for?Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMarinakis, the larger-than-life Greek shipping magnate who has hauled Forest from the Championship into Europe, is a controversial and often unloveable figure.This Hellenic Captain Pugwash spent like a drunken sailor after promotion, sailed close to the wind of PSR and has been forced to walk the plank on more than one occasion because of his behaviour towards referees. Andy Robertson pays tribute to ‘best friend’ Trent Alexander-Arnold after he is booed by Liverpool fansTrent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool at the end of the seasonCredit: AlamyHe was booed by Liverpool fans against ArsenalCredit: ReutersBut what would you prefer from an owner?Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who cuts costs and has a heart of ice, or Marinakis, who splashes out and clearly cares?On Sunday, Marinakis confronted Nuno after the 2-2 draw with Leicester City — which simultaneously confirmed European football for Forest after a 30-year absence and seriously dented the club’s hopes of reaching the Champions League.Marinakis was fuming about an amateur-hour episode which meant Forest briefly playing with ten men.This was due to a communication breakdown between Nuno and the medical staff over whether Taiwo Awoniyi was fit to carry on.The striker collided with a goalpost after a linesman hadn’t flagged for an obvious offside in another glorious triumph for VAR protocols.Sure, Nuno could have done without a public dressing-down out on the pitch.But he is a well-paid big boy with the placid temperament needed to work for a volcanic owner.The Portuguese has done an outstanding job but a top-five finish was on the cards all season.West Ham compounded Manchester United to another Prem defeatCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim has often been critical of the teamCredit: GettyAnd since Leicester are both local rivals and completely hopeless, Forest’s inability to beat them at home was cause for understandable frustration.Later in the afternoon, there was an outcry over an outcry at Anfield, when Alexander-Arnold arrived as a sub against Arsenal and was subjected to resounding boos for having agreed to join Real Madrid.Now, Real are the one club in the world which clearly represents an upgrade on Liverpool.The England right-back clearly fancies a pay rise, some sunshine, a new adventure and a superior chance of winning another European Cup.But equally, Liverpool supporters cherish having a local lad in their side. Every football fan does.When that local lad doesn’t swallow the club propaganda that ‘This Means More’, there will be indignation from many supporters.Because, as a Scouser, Alexander-Arnold did mean more to them and they believe that Liverpool should mean more to him.And so they booed — even after the title had been secured and ‘rivals’ Arsenal had given their team a little clap on to the pitch, because even when the entire Premier League season has pretty much flatlined, this thing still matters.For the vast majority of football supporters, our default setting is misery, anger and frustration.And if we don’t have our match-going release, we would end up being permanently miserable, angry and frustrated about important things in life.Arne Slot did not have a problem with the fans’ opinionsCredit: APAndy Robertson said it was ‘not nice’ to see his team-mate’s receptionCredit: GettyOn Saturday, I went with my son to watch our team, Fulham, after a very difficult week for our family.We thought they might cheer us up a bit by beating Everton and keeping our hopes alive of reaching the Conference League.And we really did hope for that because my boy has never watched Fulham play in Europe and it would have been fun.But Fulham tossed away a lead for the umpteenth time this season, conceding three shocking goals, as what had promised to be an excellent season fizzles out into a pretty average one.We howled and raged during the match, then scowled and sulked on the way home.Because ranting and raging about something so unimportant is actually good for us.And even when your team is half-decent, what’s wrong with dreaming for a little bit more?Why shouldn’t Marinakis be annoyed about missing out on the Champions League?Why shouldn’t Liverpool fans want a Scouser in their team?Read More on The SunWhy shouldn’t Amorim tell the truth about the attitude and application of his players?Criticise them and you fundamentally fail to understand why football matters. 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MIKEL ARTETA doubled down as he insisted KO’d Arsenal WERE the Champions League’s best team —  and told Luis Enrique to ‘look at the stats’.Arteta was mocked by Paris Saint-Germain boss Enrique for claiming his men were better than the Munich-bound side — despite losing their semi 3-1 on aggregate.Mikel Arteta reckons the Gunners were unlucky in ParisArteta is basing his Arsenal verdict on figures like expected goals – and told everyone to look at the statsCredit: PARafa Benitez hit Alex Ferguson with his ‘facts’ in his infamous 2009 rantThe Arsenal chief — stopping just short of Rafa Benitez’s infamous ‘facts’ rant —  reiterated: “I stand by what I said, 100 per cent. I’ve watched it back, seen all the stats.“When you look at all the important stats, the ones that give you the best platform to win football matches, it’s crystal clear who was better.“With an expected goals of five against three, which we had over the two legs, normally you’re in the final.”Arteta’s statistical claims echoed then-Liverpool boss Benitez’s 2009 rant about Alex Ferguson, when the Spaniard blasted the Manchester United chief with a list of ‘facts’.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSArteta said: “If you face PSG and they blow you away, you shake hands and say, ‘We’re not ready still’.“When you look them in the eye, suffocate them in the way we did there, you were the better team.“But it’s not about the winning probability, it’s actually making it count.”But the Gunners chief did accept Liverpool “deserve” to be crowned Prem winners  because his side have taken a “step backwards”. Most read in Champions LeagueMartin Odegaard and Co were shattered by their semi-final KOCredit: RexBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKArteta had been under fire for claiming Liverpool’s title-winning tally — they can still reach 91 points — was less than the 89 his men racked up last term or 84 in 2022-23, when they were again runners-up to Manchester City.He said: “It’s true. With the amount of points we had, we could have been champions twice.This week’s title: How ‘brave’ Arsenal were denied by PSG in Champions League semi-final“But we were not. In the Premier League we’ve gone a step backwards. Liverpool deserve to be champions.”While the thought of telling his team to line up on the Anfield pitch and give Liverpool their guard of honour on Sunday will be hard to swallow, the Spaniard knows it is something his players MUST do.To realise how close they came. To dig deeper to make sure the boot is on the other foot next term.Another campaign of near-misses has left Arteta wounded, no question.It is now five years and counting since the Basque watched his players parade round an empty Wembley with the FA Cup, the “Covid Final” win over Chelsea something from another age.I stand by what I said, 100 per cent. I’ve watched it back, seen all the stats.Mikel ArtetaSince then, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all won trophies, Arsenal have not, falling short at the moment of truth.Being the unwitting walk-on extras at an Anfield party tomorrow will rub home that point, as Arteta knows.He said: “Paris was a very emotional moment.“It was one of the saddest but one of the proudest moments that I have had as an Arsenal manager.“We put a lot of hope and energy and work into that and we didn’t get the outcome. You need to go through that to become stronger and better and that’s what we do.“We are providing the numbers that win you titles. We have to be a little bit luckier or still do better.“Again, with what we did in the Champions League, with those  numbers, you have a big probability of winning it. That’s why a lot of people were thinking that we could go all the way.Last-eight hero Declan Rice couldn’t quite help Arsenal past PSGCredit: Shutterstock EditorialArteta consoled Jurrien Timber as the Gunners missed out on the finalCredit: Reuters“Those two words, ‘success’ and ‘failure’, they are not part of my vocabulary.“But not winning trophies bothers me a lot because I love winning and absolutely hate losing.“If it doesn’t hurt then it means you don’t love winning as much as I do, that’s for sure.”The fear of some Gunners fans is that Arteta might end up as another North London “nearly man”, the sort of jibe they loved to throw at Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs when their most bitter rivals were in the local ascendancy but could not get over the winning line.Arteta and his “trust the process” mantra retain the backing of most of the Emirates faithful but the manager wants his players to feel as bad as the travelling fans shortly before 4.30pm on Sunday.He added: “Liverpool have been the best team, the most consistent team. When somebody is better you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level.I have no doubts about these players and their attitude. I know how much they are still hurting — now we have to show the fight.Mikel Arteta“Something that has to drive you, motivate you, and pain probably is a good one to use.“When you don’t really want to do something but it’s the right thing to do, usually it is a motivation for next season.“We cannot win the Premier League, that is clear. But over the last 16 days, with three games to go, we must make sure that we do ourselves proud and compete to the end in the manner we deserve.”For many Arsenal fans — and  outside critics — it was the failure to address the elephant in the room in January, the club’s lack of an  out-and-out striker, that ended up being exactly as costly as was widely predicted. Pressed on that and the fact that Mo Salah’s goals for Liverpool have been one of the key differences in the campaign, Arteta did bristle.He asked: “Did I have to make it more clear in January? Was it clear or not?“If you score over 90 goals you have a high probability of winning the Premier League.“It doesn’t guarantee you, but you have a high probability if your defensive record is very good and very dependable.Arsenal ratings v PSG ARSENAL’S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris.“Of course, there’s not that many who can put up those numbers in the Premier League, so I must improve and love the ones we have right now.“This is not the moment to judge players.”That is on Arteta himself as well. He said: “I have so much to achieve and do. That is what drives me every day.“The only way to achieve what you want is to have really high standards and demands.“We are very, very close to achieving it. I understand the disappointment, and the criticism. That is all part of it.“At the end there is one winner and the rest of them aren’t going to win, so they need to reinvent themselves and do better.“But I have no doubts about these players and their attitude.Read More on The Sun“I know how much they are still hurting — now we have to show the fight and how much we care about what is happening.“And what we still have to achieve, which is a big thing because we haven’t done it yet.”Thomas Partey gave his all in vain in the return leg at PSGCredit: Alamy More