Mikel Arteta £75m double gamble the key to Arsenal major Champions League transformation plan

Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey have been excellent for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta this season. This has been proven by the increased win percentage when both players start the match.

Since Arteta’s switch to the 4-3-3 formation, Odegaard and Partey have thrived in the roles they have been given in the midfield. The dominance in their position is a major reason why the Gunners currently have the advantage in qualifying for the Champions League ahead of next season, which is seen as an overachievement for the north London side.

Both players had their critics at the beginning of the season. However, this has now drastically changed as they are considered Arsenal’s most important players, and the win percentage when both players are on the pitch is proof of that.

When Odegaard and Partey start Arsenal’s win percentage reaches 70.6%. This is a major increase when at least one of them isn’t on the field from the starting whistle as the win percentage drops to 44.4% which highlights the importance of both players on the field.

Their importance in playing together is further highlighted by the fact that Arsenal have won 12 out of 17 games when have started compared to having only won four matches when at least of the pair is absent.

It is not just the win percentage that proves the importance of both players, but it is also the goal potency, as the goals per game reach 2.1 on average when they are starting but declines to 0.8 when the duo are not on the field together, and Arteta’s side are also much more solid in defence to match.

Partey’s absence was clear in January when he went to play at the African Cup of Nations, as the Gunners failed to win a single game during the month he was absent. However, since he has