The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was supercharged with hope as Arsenal welcomed Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. But within three minutes, all that excitement turned into stunned silence. PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé sliced through Arsenal’s backline and slotted home a goal that quickly changed the energy of the night.
That early shock from Dembélé became the warning shot that foreshadowed Arsenal’s uphill battle. Despite moments of grit and determination, the Gunners just couldn’t take control of the game. PSG’s Fabian Ruiz nearly made things worse with a rocket of a shot that smacked the post, reminding everyone that the Parisians weren’t going to let up.
Arsenal had a glimmer of hope early in the second half. Mikel Merino seemed to have equalized with a powerful header, sending the home fans into celebration—only for it all to be ripped away by an offside flag. A brief VAR check confirmed the worst, and just like that, the moment was gone, replaced by a lingering sense of frustration.
But it wasn’t only the scoreline that had Arsenal supporters gritting their teeth. Very quickly, all eyes turned to one man in particular: Martin Ødegaard. Usually the beating heart of the team’s creativity, Ødegaard became the focal point of online backlash. Fans questioned whether their captain had shown up when it mattered most.
On X, formerly Twitter, criticism was relentless. One fan lamented Ødegaard’s lack of impact, calling his style “all for show” and questioning what he actually contributes during high-stakes matches. Another accused him of merely occupying space without really influencing the game, saying someone of his caliber should’ve been the key to unlocking PSG’s defense.
Some fans, though, refused to pile on. They highlighted his off-the-ball work, his constant pressing, and leadership through effort rather than flair. One supporter defended him fiercely, noting that even if his goals and assists weren’t there, he was still pushing his teammates and trying to raise the intensity of the press.
There were also those who took a more measured approach, speculating whether his recent injury woes had taken a toll. Suggestions floated that he hadn’t quite regained full mobility since ankle surgery, which could explain his decline in shooting and passing sharpness. Others, less charitable, joked that he looked busy without actually contributing—more of a show than substance.
Even pundits weighed in, with Alan Shearer voicing his disappointment during the live broadcast. As someone who knows what it means to wear the captain’s armband, Shearer expected more. Ødegaard’s subdued showing, especially in such a crucial fixture, felt like a letdown. His usual rhythm, vision, and control were missing when the team needed them most.
In a surprising turn, Arteta decided to sub him off late in the game, bringing on young Ethan Nwaneri instead. It felt like a symbolic move, a subtle message that perhaps the captain wasn’t delivering what was required on the night. Whether that was a one-off decision or something deeper remains to be seen.
Now, with the second leg looming in Paris, Ødegaard’s form has become the elephant in the room. Fans are divided—some still believe, others are questioning if he’s the right man to lead them into the fire. But one thing is crystal clear: if Arsenal want to turn this tie around and dream of Champions League glory, their captain can’t afford another quiet night.
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