Martin Odegaard's hidden influence at Arsenal captured perfectly by Pep Guardiola comment

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Numbers tend to speak for themselves in football, but for players like Martin Odegaard, that isn't always the case.

The midfielder has been one of Arsenal's best performers during their three-game winning stretch with two wins over Wolves, either side of a victory against Brentford.

Looking at the Norwegian's statistics, it wouldn't seem that way as he didn't register a goal or an assist. In fact, he hasn't set up one of his teammates since Boxing Day, and he last found the net on December 11.

Football's overreliance on numbers is something that Pep Guardiola has highlighted in the past as the Manchester City boss reckons statistics don't tell the full story.

"There are players that make the team play good but they are not in the statistics," said Guardiola. "Statistics never existed before. It is a problem in the real world, not just in football. The players are just 'how many goals did I score? How many assists?'

Guardiola wasn't specifically referring to Odegaard, but he is a player that certainly proves his point as the playmaker's influence on this Arsenal side this season has been significant, despite his numbers not reflecting this.

Odegaard might be playing behind Alexandre Lacazette but he's not operating as a