Arsenal face a defining moment in their season as they prepare to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg at the Parc des Princes.
Despite recent criticism of captain Martin Odegaard’s form, midfielder Declan Rice has passionately defended his teammate ahead of this crucial fixture. “Obviously, everyone has dips in form, I’ve had different dips in form before,” Rice told reporters. “But it doesn’t matter because he can deliver on the biggest stage, and tomorrow night I’m sure he will.”
Rice emphasized Odegaard’s importance both on and off the pitch: “He’s our leader, he’s our captain. He trains every single day, he plays every minute of every game. He’s got the full respect of the dressing room, the way he demands, the way he drives the team, the way he speaks.”
The Norwegian playmaker’s influence on Arsenal’s system cannot be overstated. Earlier this season, Arsenal legend Martin Keown highlighted Odegaard’s statistical impact: “He’s created 102 chances – more than anyone in the Premier League – and 41 times he’s retrieved the ball in the final third so in and out of possession. I’m struggling to think of a more important player in the Premier League.”
Arsenal’s task is formidable against a PSG side that has already secured the Ligue 1 title and is pursuing their first Champions League trophy. The French champions hold the advantage after Ousmane Dembele’s goal at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg.
Should Arsenal advance, they would face Inter Milan in the final after the Italian side’s dramatic victory over Barcelona. For Mikel Arteta’s team, Champions League success would represent significant progress in their development, potentially salvaging a season where they’ve fallen short in the Premier League title race.
The match also presents an opportunity for Odegaard to silence his critics and demonstrate why he wears the captain’s armband at one of England’s most prestigious clubs.
