Introduction
In the 2025/26 Premier League season so far, Arsenal fans have witnessed the contrasting styles of two of their most influential creative midfielders: Eberechi Eze and captain Martin Ødegaard.
While Ødegaard has long been the team’s orchestrator from midfield, Eze has demonstrated an exceptional combination of goal threat, dribbling, and offensive influence that arguably makes him more impactful in the final third.
Across key metrics such as shooting, goal conversion, dribbling success, duels won, and activity in the opposition box, Eze consistently edges Ødegaard.
This analysis examines how these statistics support the argument that Eze should be prioritized in the attacking lineup, ahead of the captain, without undermining Ødegaard’s role as a creative playmaker.
AVAILABILITY & GENERAL OUTPUT
Availability & General Output is vital because it measures reliability, managerial trust, and sustained season-long influence rather than raw talent alone.
Regular appearances and high minutes indicate fitness, durability, tactical understanding, and trust in key moments such as protecting leads or chasing games.
At elite clubs, dependable availability protects tactical structure and chemistry, often defining the true backbone of the team and who genuinely impacts a season.
Games Played
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 19
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 18
Minutes Played
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1,064
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1,020
Across the 2025/26 Premier League season so far, Eberechi Eze has featured in 19 matches for Arsenal, accumulating a total of 1,064 minutes on the pitch.
Martin Ødegaard, meanwhile, has appeared in 18 games, registering 1,020 minutes. The gap between them is just 44 minutes of football, making this an almost identical sample size and an ideal basis for a direct comparison.
Verdict: This places Eze slightly ahead in both total appearances and overall playing time, with a marginal edge in availability during this period.
SHOOTING & GOAL THREAT
Shooting volume and accuracy are crucial attacking metrics because they show how often a player gets into goal-scoring positions and how effectively those chances are turned into genuine threats.
More shots indicate a player’s willingness and ability to take responsibility in the final third, while shot accuracy highlights composure and shot selection.
Shots on target reflect how frequently a player forces goalkeepers into action, and shots off target help show inefficiency or rushed decision-making.
Shots
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 18
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 15
Shot Accuracy %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 66.67%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 46.67%
Shots on Target
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 12
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 7
Shots off Target
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 6
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 8
In the 2025/26 season, Eberechi Eze has attempted 18 shots, registering a 66.67% shot accuracy, with 12 efforts on target and 6 off target. Martin Ødegaard has taken 15 shots, posting a 46.67% shot accuracy, with 7 shots on target and 8 off target.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze clearly wins the shooting category. He attempts more shots, records a significantly higher shot accuracy, and hits the target far more consistently than Martin Ødegaard, making him the more reliable and efficient goal threat in front of goal during the 2025/26 season.
Goals
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 4
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1
Non-Penalty Goals
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 4
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1
Goals are the most decisive currency in football, directly determining match outcomes and separating influence from intention in attacking play.
Eze has scored 4 goals compared to Martin Ødegaard’s 1, giving Eze a far stronger direct impact in front of goal for Arsenal during the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze clearly wins this category.
Goals from Inside the Box
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 4
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 0
Goals from inside and outside the box matter because they show where a player is most dangerous and how they score their goals, which reveals their style, positioning, and finishing ability.
Goals from Inside the Box indicate a player’s effectiveness in high-percentage scoring areas, showing their ability to capitalize on close-range chances and be decisive in the penalty area.
Goals from Outside the Box
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 0
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1
Goals from Outside the Box highlight a player’s capacity for long-range shooting and creativity, reflecting skill, vision, and the ability to score from distance when opportunities are limited.
Here, we can analyze not just how many goals a player scores, but how and from where they influence games, providing a deeper understanding of their attacking profile.
Eberechi Eze clearly embodies the traditional number 10 role, scoring 4 goals from inside the box, while Ødegaard has none.
On the other hand, Ødegaard’s only goal comes from outside the box, highlighting his tendency to operate deeper and orchestrate play from distance while still posing a goal threat.
This indicates that Eze excels closer to goal as a classic number 10, whereas Ødegaard functions effectively as a hybrid between a number 8 and 10, blending midfield creation with occasional long-range finishing.
The positive takeaway is that both players could operate in the same team without disrupting the tactical balance, offering complementary roles in attack.
Verdict: It is a tie but the statistics slightly favour Eberechi Eze.
Conversion Rate %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 22.22%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 6.67%
Conversion Rate % matters because it shows how efficiently a player turns their shooting opportunities into goals.
While total shots indicate activity and willingness to attack, conversion rate highlights clinical finishing and decision-making in front of goal.
A higher conversion rate means a player is more reliable at capitalizing on chances, making every opportunity count, whereas a low rate can indicate missed opportunities or less effective finishing.
In this case, Eberechi Eze’s 22.22% conversion rate shows he is far more efficient at scoring from his chances than Ødegaard, who sits at 6.67%, making Eze a more potent threat in attack relative to the chances he gets.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze clearly wins this category.
CREATIVITY & PASSING
Assists
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 2
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 4
If a creative player is not scoring, assisting becomes the next most valuable contribution, as assists directly lead to goals and are counted as goal contributions in the same way as scoring.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has registered 4 assists, doubling Eberechi Eze’s tally of 2. This underlines Ødegaard’s stronger creative output and his ability to consistently provide the final pass in attacking situations.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Chances Created
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 9
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 29
Chances created are a key indicator of a player’s creative influence, as they measure how often a player sets up goal-scoring opportunities that can later turn into assists when converted.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has created 29 chances, significantly outperforming Eberechi Eze, who has created 9. This highlights Ødegaard’s superior playmaking volume and his consistent involvement in unlocking defences.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard clearly wins this category.
Passes Attempted
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 374
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 607
Passes Completed
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 320
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 516
Passing Accuracy %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 85.56%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 85.01%
Passing accuracy reflects a player’s decision-making, timing, and ball-striking quality, showing how effectively they retain possession while progressing play.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has recorded a passing accuracy of 85.56%, narrowly higher than Martin Ødegaard’s 85.01%.
While Ødegaard operates with far greater passing volume, Eze’s numbers suggest a more selective and precise approach, prioritising timing and efficiency over repetition.
Pass accuracy is often as much a mental metric as a technical one, highlighting awareness, composure, and the ability to choose the right moment to release the ball.
This may also help explain why Eze outperforms Ødegaard in areas such as shot accuracy, conversion rate, and goal output, as cleaner decision-making frequently carries over into end product.
With both players operating in the same team environment, the difference cannot be attributed to team quality, making the contrast in passing approach even more telling.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
PROGRESSION & DISTRIBUTION
Long Passes Attempted
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 19
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 54
Long Passes Completed
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 7
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 30
Long Pass Accuracy %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 36.84%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 55.56%
Long passing is a crucial tool for tempo control and game management, allowing teams to escape pressure, switch play, and launch attacks from deep areas. It is especially valuable when opponents press high or overload one side of the pitch.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has attempted 54 long passes, completing 30 of them, while Eberechi Eze has attempted 19, completing just 7. This translates to a long pass accuracy of 55.56% for Ødegaard, comfortably higher than Eze’s 36.84%.
The numbers clearly show that Ødegaard is the more effective long-range distributor, consistently using long passes to switch play, relieve pressure, and put Arsenal on the front foot.
However, some people may also argue that Eze often likes to play and operate near or inside the opponent’s final third while we have seen Odegaard fall back many times – sometimes even playing or receiving the ball and passing it while
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Crosses Attempted
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 10
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 19
Crosses Completed
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 5
Crossing Accuracy %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 10%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 26.32%
For attacking midfielders such as Eberechi Eze and Martin Ødegaard, crossing provides an alternative attacking route beyond central combinations, highlighting positional versatility and the ability to influence play from wide areas.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has attempted 19 crosses, completing 5, with a crossing accuracy of 26.32%. Eberechi Eze, by comparison, has attempted 10 crosses, completing just 1, resulting in a 10% accuracy rate.
These numbers indicate that Ødegaard has been far more effective when drifting into wide areas and delivering balls into the box. This stands out given that Eze has started several matches on the left wing, while Ødegaard has operated predominantly as a central number 10.
It further suggests that Eze is more naturally suited to central attacking roles rather than wide positions, consistent with his profile prior to joining Arsenal, where he played the majority of his football as a traditional attacking midfielder.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Through Balls
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 8
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 16
Through balls are a key measure of a player’s vision, timing, and spatial awareness, requiring the ability to read attacking runs and deliver defence-splitting passes at precisely the right moment.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has played 16 through balls, double Eberechi Eze’s total of 8. This highlights Ødegaard’s superior capacity to unlock defensive lines and create high-quality chances for teammates through central areas.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Lay-offs Completed
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 19
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 15
Lay-offs completed measure a player’s ability to hold up play under pressure and link attacks using quick, one-touch passes while facing away from goal. This skill is vital for maintaining tempo in tight areas and bringing teammates into play around the opposition box.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has completed 19 lay-offs, edging Martin Ødegaard, who has completed 15. This suggests Eze has been more effective in using his body position and awareness to facilitate combination play in advanced areas.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
PASS DIRECTION & ZONES
Forward Passes
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 89
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 187
Backward Passes
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 91
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 90
Sideways Passes
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 194
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 330
Odegaard has been accused of passing the ball backwards many times, but in truth he has more forward passes – 187 and less backward passes – 90 than Eze who has 89 forward passes and 90 backward passes.
However, Martin Odegaard has more sideway passes. Odegaard has 330 sideway passes while Eze has 194 sideway passes.
For every 1 backward pass, Eze plays approximately:
- 0.98 forward passes
- 2.13 sideways passes
This portrays Eze as more balanced, but with a slightly cautious approach to distribution.
For every 1 backward pass, Ødegaard plays approximately:
- 2.08 forward passes
- 3.67 sideways passes
This makes odegaard a far more progressive and high-volume circulation type of in Arsenal’s build-up.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category. His passing profile shows a stronger influence on the team’s build-up play and a greater willingness to advance the ball, which is generally more valuable for a creative midfielder in Arsenal’s system.
DRIBBLING, DUELS & DEFENSIVE WORK
Take-ons Completed
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 20
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 9
Take-on Success %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 60.61%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 47.37%
Take-ons measure a player’s ability to beat opponents in one-on-one situations, combining skill, timing, and confidence on the ball.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has completed 20 take-ons, boasting a 60.61% success rate, compared to Martin Ødegaard’s 9 take-ons at 47.37% success.
These numbers highlight Eze’s superior dribbling ability and his capacity to create opportunities by taking defenders on directly.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Duels Contested
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 108
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 75
Duels Won
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 57
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 33
Duels are a key indicator of a player’s competitiveness, work rate, and ability to win possession, whether on the ground or in the air.
They show not only how often a player challenges opponents but also how effective they are at asserting themselves in 50/50 situations.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has contested 108 duels, winning 57 of them, whereas Martin Ødegaard has contested 75 duels, winning 33.
This demonstrates that Eze is more involved in direct battles across the pitch and also more successful in winning them, highlighting both his physical presence and determination in midfield.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Ground Duel Success %
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 58.43%
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 45.59%
Ground duel success measures a player’s effectiveness in one-on-one battles on the pitch, showing how often they win challenges against opponents when competing for the ball. It reflects both physicality and timing, as well as the ability to maintain possession under pressure.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has a ground duel success rate of 58.43%, noticeably higher than Martin Ødegaard’s 45.59%.
This indicates that Eze is not only more frequently involved in duels but also more reliable in winning them, giving Arsenal an edge in retaining and recovering possession in midfield areas.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Tackles Made
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 12
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 16
Tackles are a key metric for measuring a player’s defensive contribution and willingness to engage opponents, helping the team regain possession and disrupt the opposition’s play.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has made 16 tackles, compared to Eberechi Eze’s 12.
This suggests that Ødegaard is slightly more active in defensive duels, showing a greater propensity to engage and recover the ball, despite primarily being a creative midfielder.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Interceptions
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 6
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 7
Interceptions measure a player’s ability to read the game, anticipate passes, and break up opposition attacks. They are a key indicator of defensive intelligence and positioning, especially for midfielders who operate in central areas.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has registered 7 interceptions, slightly more than Eberechi Eze’s 6. While the difference is small, it shows that Ødegaard is marginally more effective at anticipating and cutting out passes, contributing to Arsenal’s defensive structure in midfield.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
PHYSICAL & DISCIPLINE
Fouls Won
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 20
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 6
Fouls won can highlight a player’s ability to retain possession under pressure, draw defenders, and create opportunities for teammates.
It also shows how often a player troubles opponents, forces them into mistakes, and can earn dangerous free-kicks in attacking areas.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has won 20 fouls, significantly more than Martin Ødegaard’s 6.
This demonstrates Eze’s ability to challenge defenders, maintain possession, and influence the game by forcing opponents into committing fouls in dangerous positions.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Fouls Committed
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 10
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 7
Fouls committed indicate a player’s discipline in challenges and ability to avoid giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas. Higher numbers can suggest mistimed tackles or reckless defending, which may put the team at risk.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has committed 10 fouls, slightly more than Martin Ødegaard’s 7. This suggests that Ødegaard is marginally more disciplined in his defensive actions, reducing the risk of conceding unnecessary free-kicks.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Yellow Cards
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 1
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 0
Yellow cards reflect a player’s disciplinary record and can indicate how often they commit fouls that risk bookings, potentially affecting availability for future matches.
For creative midfielders, maintaining composure is crucial, as unnecessary cautions can disrupt team balance and tactical plans.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has received 1 yellow card, while Martin Ødegaard remains unbooked.
Although the difference is small, it shows Ødegaard has been slightly cleaner in his challenges and decision-making, avoiding disciplinary issues that could hinder his influence on the pitch.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
INVOLVEMENT & POSSESSION
Touches
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 549
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 740
The number of touches a player registers indicates how involved they are in the game and how often the ball goes through them in build-up or attacking phases. A higher touch count typically reflects centrality to the team’s play, influence on possession, and ability to dictate tempo.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has registered 740 touches, significantly more than Eberechi Eze’s 549 touches. This highlights Ødegaard’s greater involvement in Arsenal’s overall play, showing that he is more frequently the focal point of passing sequences and a key driver in controlling the game.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Touches in Opposition Box
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 39
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 27
Touches in the opposition box measure a player’s direct involvement in dangerous areas and their ability to influence goal-scoring opportunities.
The more a player receives the ball in these zones, the greater their potential impact on creating or converting chances.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has registered 39 touches in the opposition box, compared to Martin Ødegaard’s 27.
This indicates that Eze is more active in threatening positions, often finding himself closer to goal and in situations where he can score or set up teammates.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Ball Recoveries
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 43
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 47
Ball recoveries indicate a player’s ability to regain possession for their team, whether through pressing, anticipation, or reacting quickly to loose balls. It reflects defensive contribution, work rate, and influence in transition phases.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Martin Ødegaard has registered 47 ball recoveries, slightly more than Eberechi Eze’s 43.
This shows Ødegaard’s marginally higher involvement in winning back possession and helping Arsenal control the midfield during defensive and transitional moments.
Verdict: Martin Ødegaard wins this category.
Possession Lost
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 106
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 143
Possession lost measures how often a player misplaces the ball or fails to retain it under pressure, reflecting both decision-making and composure.
Fewer turnovers help maintain team rhythm, reduce counter-attacking opportunities for opponents, and indicate smarter ball management.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has lost possession 106 times, compared to Martin Ødegaard’s 143 times.
This suggests that Eze is slightly more careful and effective in keeping the ball, minimizing risk while maintaining attacking threat.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Times Tackled
- Eberechi Eze – Arsenal – 2025/26: 24
- Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal – 2025/26: 20
The number of times a player is tackled reflects how often they attract defensive attention and the pressure they face when in possession.
Being frequently tackled can indicate a player’s ability to draw opponents, create space for teammates, or carry the ball into dangerous areas.
In the 2025/26 Premier League season, Eberechi Eze has been tackled 24 times, slightly more than Martin Ødegaard’s 20.
This shows that Eze tends to take on defenders more often, drawing attention and potentially creating opportunities for his team in attacking situations.
Verdict: Eberechi Eze wins this category.
Conclusion
A detailed comparison of Eberechi Eze and Martin Ødegaard in the 2025/26 season reveals that, while both players bring unique qualities to Arsenal, Eze has the edge in the areas that directly impact the final third.
From superior goal-scoring ability, higher shot accuracy, and better conversion rates to more successful dribbles, duels, and involvement in dangerous positions, Eze has shown that he can influence matches decisively.
Ødegaard remains a key facilitator with greater involvement in possession, long passes, and creative build-up, but when it comes to creating and converting opportunities near goal, Eze’s numbers clearly justify placing him ahead in the lineup.
Simply put, if Arsenal want maximum impact in attack, Eberechi Eze should lead the way ahead of Martin Ødegaard.
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